Polymerization of actin. VI. The polarity of the actin filaments in the acrosomal process and how it might be determined. The polarity of the actin filaments which assemble from the nucleating body or actomere of Thyone and Pisaster sperm was determined using myosin subfragment 1 decoration. The polarity was found to be unidirectional with the arrowheads pointing towards the cell center. When polymerization is induced at low temperature with concentrations of actin near the critical concentration for polymerization, elongation of filaments occurs preferentially off the apical end. If the sperm are induced to undergo the acrosomal reaction with an ionophore, the polarity of the actin filaments attached to the actomere is the same as that already described, but the filaments which polymerize parallel to, but peripheral to, those extending from the actomere are randomly polarized. These randomly polarized filaments appear to result from spontaneous nucleation. When sperm are induced to undergo the acrosomal reaction with eggs, the polarity of the actin filaments is also unidirectional with the arrowheads pointing towards the cell center. From these results we conclude: (a) that the actomere, by nucleating the polymerization of actin filaments, controls the polarity of the actin filaments in the acrosomal process, (b) that the actomere recognizes a surface of the actin monomer that is different from that surface recognized by the dense material attached to membranes, and (c) that egg myosin could not act to pull the sperm into the egg. Included is a discussion of how the observation that monomers add largely to one end of a decorated filament in vitro relates to these in vivo observations.


Size classes of replication units in DNA from sea urchin embryos. Sea urchin DNA containing replication structures was isolated from two to four cell stage and blastula stage embryos, and examined by electron microscopy. In addition to the expected eye forms, we also observed molecules with large internal single-stranded gaps. Such structures were not present in DNA devoid of replicating molecules such as that isolated from sea urchin sperm. When the size of eye forms and interbubble distances between the two stages were compared, there was no detectable difference. In both stages, we observed two distinct size classes of bubbles and of interbubble distances. In the case of bubble sizes, the smaller size class was comprised of clustered microbubbles that ranged from 200 base pairs to 1 Kilobase (kb) with a mean of 432 base pairs. The large eye forms measured 1--35 kb with a mean of 6.8 kb. Interbubble distances also yielded two distinct populations, with the smaller class ranging from 400 base pairs to 2.3 kb (mean = 1.1 kb) and the larger population ranging from 2.8 to 36 kb (mean = 10.9 kb). Although other possibilities cannot be entirely excluded, the data support the contention that a substantial fraction of the larger eye-form population arises from the fusion of the clustered microbubbles.


Ultrastructure of the endoplasmic factor responsible for cytoplasmic streaming in Chara internodal cells. Previous investigators have proposed that cytoplasmic streaming in Chara internodal cells results from the interaction between an endoplasmic factor and fibrils composed of microfilaments in the stationary cortex. Using the internal perfusion technique, we confirmed the observation that organelles which had been attached to the fibrils by decreasing the internal concentration of ATP moved along the fibrils after ATP was introduced. Thin-sectioned specimens revealed that endoplasmic organelles of various shapes were linked to microfilament bundles in the absence of ATP. Linkage was effected by regularly arranged electron-dense materials with a spacing of 100 -- 130 nm at definite regions on each organelle. The organelles in question were studied in negatively stained preparations of endoplasm. The organelles had some common features. (1) They were all membrane-limited.(2) Their sizes and configurations varied largely. (3) One or more protuberances were present on them. (4) The protuberances were usually rod- or horn-like. (5) Small globular bodies 20--30 nm in diameter were found in ordered array with the same spacing as those in thin sections at the surface of the protuberances. (6) Many fine filaments were always attached to the surface of the protuberances. These fine filaments differed from F-actin in diameter (less than 4 nm) and inability to react with heavy meromyosin from rabbit skeletal muscle. The role of such components of the organelles in cytoplasmic streaming is discussed. A paracrystalline array of microfilaments with a transverse periodicity of about 38 nm is presented, together with its optical diffraction pattern.


The effects of ovariectomy and estrogen treatment on the dopamine inhibition of gonadotropin and prolactin release. The suppressive action of dopamine (DA) on circulating gonadotropin and PRL levels is found to be positively correlated with their basal serum concentrations. Thus, DA inhibition is greater in ovariectomized (agonadal) women than in normal women on day 2 of their menstrual cycles, and the reverse is observed for PRL. Pretreatment of agonadal subjects with estrogen lowers the basal levels of LH and FSH and thereby proportionately decreases the suppressive effects of DA. Estrogen treatment elevates the basal level of PRL in agonadal subjects and also the PRL-inhibiting effect of DA. These findings indicate that castration and estrogen treatment significantly influence the inhibitory effect of DA on gonadotropin and PRL release.


Diurnal variation in the response of plasma prolactin, cortisol, and growth hormone to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in normal men. Plasma PRL, cortisol, and GH responses to a standard iv dose of regular insulin were studied during the morning and evening in seven normal young men. Hypoglycemia achieved during morning and evening in the same aubjects was equal. There was a substantially greater maximal increment in PRL in the evening compared to the morning (P less than 0.01). The peak levels of cortisol achieved in the morning and evening were equal, but the evening maximal increase was greater (P less than 0.05) because of the significantly lower evening basal cortisol level. Evening increases in GH were greater than in the morning in five subjects and were essentially the same in two subjects; for the group, the evening maximal increment in GH was significantly greater (p less than 0.05 after log transformation). Since serotonergic mechanisms appear to be involved in the PRL, GH, and cortisol responses to hypoglycemia, we suggest the possibility of a diurnal variation in hypothalamic serotonin activity which may partly mediate these differential diurnal hormonal responses to hypoglycemia (although other neurotransmitters may also be involved). The data on cortisol are discussed with regard to the reset hypothesis of feedback inhibition.


Exotoxin activity associated with the Legionnaires disease bacterium. Hemolysis occurred around growth of the Legionnaires disease bacterium on supplemented Mueller-Hinton agar containing sterile defibrinated blood from each of five mammalian species. Hemolysis was most pronounced with guinea pig or rabbit blood, was less intense with horse or sheep blood, and was slight with blood from a human donor. Sterile filtrates of allantoic fluid from embryonated hen's eggs that had been infected with this organism displayed hemolytic activity in a radial hemolysis assay with guinea pig cells in agar. Growth of the Legionnaires disease bacterium on F-G agar with 5% hen's egg yolk was surrounded by a zone of clearing and more circumscribed zones of iridescence and increased opacity on and in the medium. Attempts to detect activity analogous to that of Escherichia coli heat-labile or heat-stable enterotoxin in allantoic fluid from infected eggs or in cultures of the Legionnaires disease bacterium were not successful.


First isolation of Peptococcus indolicus from a human clinical specimen. Peptococcus indolicus was isolated from a skin lesion of a sheepherder. A case report is given, and microbiological features of this organism are described.


Relationship of scores on the Escapism Scale of the MMPI to escape from minimum security federal custody. Investigated the ability of the Escapism (Ec) scale of the MMPI to differentiate between escape and non-escape minimum security federal prisoners. At the .05 level there was no difference between the scores of the two groups on the Ec scale or on comparisons of other correctional data, age, and ethnic composition. It appears that the Ec scale alone or in combination with other data will be a poor predictor of escape. Also, the rate of escape was so low as to make accurate prediction from any criteria extremely unlikely.


Isolation-induced facilitation of male sexual behavior in mice. Sexual performance of male mice housed individually or in groups of 3 or 12 was compared. Experiment 1 examined naive males presented at weekly intervals with ovariectomized, estrogen-primed, progesterone-treated females. Performance in isolates was consistently superior and reached an asymptote that was twice that of grouped animals. Reversal of housing conditions reversed performance. Experiment 2 varied intervals of isolation among subjects, finding facilitation at several intervals. Experiment 3 compared animals under different population densities. Density did not alter the effects of isolation and grouping. In all experiments, additional tests with target males indicated that aggressive and sexual performance were moderately correlated and responded similarly to parametric manipulations. These results parallel and extend studies of isolation-induced aggression.


Copulation and intermale aggression in rats. Attack behavior of reliably aggressive male Long-Evans rats against unfamiliar male intruders was observed immediately following copulation to one or more ejaculations. Compulatory series to five ejaculations did not differ from copulation to a single ejaculation or from a noncopulatory control in affecting aggressive behavior. Repetitive biting attacks occurred in all conditions, with comparable wounding. Evidently, the male postejaculatory state of insensitivity to sexual stimuli does not extend to stimuli eliciting intermale aggression. A second experiment determined the attack-eliciting capacity of foreign males placed in the home cage of an actively copulating male. As intromissions increased and the interval to ejaculation decreased, the probability of intermale aggression and interruption of copulation diminished. The results are discussed in reference to sexual and aggressive strategies of the copulating male.


Defensive behaviors in rats following septal and septal--amygdala lesions. Rats with anterior septal lesions showed a pattern of consistent enhancement of defensive behaviors normally elicited by threatening conspecifics, with no enhancement of attack or general reactivity. Further division of this group indicated that damage to sites anterior and ventral to the septal area, sites previously implicated in the "septal syndrome," produces maximal effect on these behaviors. When amygdala lesions are combined with septal damage this enhanced defensive responding is almost completely eliminated. These results were interpreted as indicating that the septal syndrome represents hyperdefensiveness to conspecific threat stimuli rather than aggression or increased general reactivity, and that amygdaloid mechanisms are also involved in the regulation of conspecific defensive behaviors.


Common mammary pathogens and factors in infection and mastitis. Inflammation of the mammary gland, commonly known as mastitis, is considered a complex disease in view of its complexities of etiology, pathogenesis, sequela, therapy, and related aspects. The disease of most concern is the one produced by pathogenic microorganisms. However, as a prerequisite the pathogen must not only enter the mammary gland but also be able to survive and multiply in numbers sufficient to produce pathogenic effects. The normal bovine mammary gland is protected from such attacks by several anatomic and biologic armamenta which must be overcome by the invading pathogens. Organisms involved in causation of mastitis vary in their habitat, virulence, and susceptibility to host barriers. Similarly cows vary in their resistance to microbial entry into the mammary gland and subsequent response to overcome the infection. Only a few organisms, however, need to survive in the milieu of the mammary gland to produce mastitis. This paper is a general discussion of these aspects concerning bovine mastitis in relation to common mammary pathogens.


Endocrine control of energy metabolism in the cow: correlations of hormones and metabolites in high and low yielding cows for stages of lactation. Measures of hormones and metabolites in blood plasma of high and low yielding cattle matched for diet and stage of lactation were investigated for relationships between milk yield, body weight, and concentrations of hormones (prolactin, growth hormone, insulin, and thyroxine) and metabolites (glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, and L-lactic acid) for stages of lactation. A first approach correlated total milk yields of 15 cows with average constituents during the four 24-h blood samplings through the first 27 wk of lactation. The second examined associations of changes with sampling periods in milk yield or body weight with changes in hormones and metabolites. Total milk yield of the high yielding group was correlated positively with ratios of growth hormone/thyroxine and glucose/thyroxine and correlated negatively with thyroxine. Changes in growth hormone and its ratio to insulin, and changes in yield were correlated positively for groups combined. Changes in thyroxine were correlated negatively with changes in yield. Changes in liveweight gain were related positively to insulin and lactic acid and negatively with changes in growth hormone. Changes in growth hormone were related positively to changes in nonesterified fatty acids.


Heat inactivation of superoxide dismutase in bovine milk. Superoxide dismutase, and enzyme normal to bovine milk, may be inactivated partially by heat during processing of milk and milk products. A minimal pasteurization temperature (71.7 C for 15 s) does not cause heat inactivation of superoxide dismutase. Higher temperature of pasteurization or systems including a 'vac-heat process' will inactivate a substantial portion of the enzyme. Heat treatments greater than 75 C inactivated more than 20% of the superoxide dismutase. Purified superoxide dismutase fractionated from bovine milk was more sensitive to thermal processing than the superoxide dismutase in bovine milk serum.


Studies on the life cycle of Asymphylodora tincae (Modeer, 1790) (Trematoda: Monorchiidae) in a small lake near Amsterdam. Part 1. The morphology of various stages. Aspects of the life cycle of Asymphylodora tincae have been studied in a small lake near Amsterdam. Bithynia tentaculata, being the only snail species that was very numerous in the lake, was the first as well as the main second intermediate host; adult trematodes were found exclusively in the tench, Tinca tinca. A small part of the cercariae that penetrate into B. tentaculata was able to develop into progenetic specimens. A morphological description is given of the following stages of A. tincae: adult, egg, redia, cercariaeum, metacercaria and progenetic stage. The cercariaeum is identified as Cercariaeum paludinae impurae De Filippi, 1854. It is concluded that A. tincae is a species, capable of large variation regarding both morphological structure (e.g. body spination, size) and life cycle.


Ascaridoid nematodes of amphibians and reptiles: Multicaecum and Brevimulticaecum. The genus Multicaecum Baylis 1923, sensu Hartwich 1957, was found to be heterogeneous, comprising species which are released to two distinct genera, namely Multicaecum Bavlis, 1923 and Brevimulticaecum. The latter name is derived from the subgenus Brevinulticaecum Mozgovoy, in Skrjabin, Shikhobalova, and Mozgovoy, 1951 by raising it to generic rank and emending the definition. Multicaecum contains a single species, agile Wedl, 1861 occurring in Crocodylus spp. in Africa, India and Australia, and is characterized by smooth rounded lips, each with a dentigerous ridge comprising small sharp denticles. The excretory pore is level with the nerve ring or behind it, and the ventricular appendices are long and slender. The species gangeticum Maplestone 1930 and quadrata Linstow 1904 are excluded from Multicaecum and regarded as species inquirendae incertae sedis. Brevimulticaecum contains five species occurring in the caimans and the alligator of the New World: baylisi Travassors, 1933 (type species; acuticauda Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 1937 is placed in synonomy under baylisi); stekhoveni Baylis, 1947; tenuicolle Rudolphi, 1819; and two new species. Brevimulticaecum spp. are characterized by flat lips with alate margins and notches, without dentigerous ridges, excretory pore in front of or at nerve ring and the ventriculus with short appendices. The significance of this proposal is discussed in relation to the other genera of ascaridoid nematodes in crocodilians.


Freeze-fracture studies on the plasma membranes of normal human, thrombasthenic, and Bernard-Soulier platelets. The description of severe molecular deficiencies of different membrane glycoproteins in thrombasthenic and Bernard-Soulier platelets has led us to investigate the intramembrane organization of their plasma membranes using freeze-fracture electron microscopy. An initial examination of the cleaved plasma membranes of freeze-fractured normal human platelets revealed randomly distributed MAPs on the fracture faces of both the outer and inner phospholipid leaflets of the bilayer. Particle densities of 925 +/- 52/micrometer22 on the EF and 427 +/- 29/micrometer2 on the PF were calculated with a computer-linked picture analyzer. The particle size was heterogeneous on both fracture faces, and the number of particles decreased exponentially in the 5 to 13 nm size range. Examination of the platelets of three thrombasthenic patients revealed a low particle density (36% to 69% of the normal range) on the PF of the cleaved plasma membrane and a reduced particle coefficient between the two fracture faces (PF/EF). This abnormality was accompanied by a preferential decrease in the larger sized particles. In marked contrast 8 to 13 nm particles predominated on both fracture faces of the plasma membranes of the platelets of a Bernard-Soulier patient, and a greater concentration of particles on the PF rather than the EF was uniquely observed. The results further define the modified structure of thrombasthenic and Bernard-Soulier platelet plasma membranes and suggest a structural heterogeneity within the total MAP population of the membranes of normal human platelets.


Chronic polioencephalitis with cerebral atrophy in infantile X-linked hypogammaglobulineaemia. The development of a chronic polioencephalitis is reported in a patient with infantile X-linked hypogammaglobulinaemia (IXH Bruton type agammaglobulinaemia). In early childhood, the patient had multiple episodes of purulent inflammation involving the meninges and respiratory tract. He was given continuous administration of gammaglobulin and intermittent treatment with antibiotics, and survived for 21 years. The neuropathological lesion, which revealed severe cerebral atrophy, is described.


Menstrual cycle affects kinesthetic aftereffect, an index of personality and perceptual style. Research suggests that kinesthetic aftereffect (KAE) scores reflect status on a postulated stimulus intensity modulation (SIM) mechanism that damps down subjective stimulus intensity for some (reducing) and increases it for others (augmenting). Such a mechanism would help account for empirically observed individual differences in such behaviors as pain tolerance, sensory deprivation reactivity, and stimulation seeking. It was hypothesized and confirmed in three adult female samples that KAE varies curvilinearly over the menstrual cycle: Greater KAE reduction occurs at the cycle's beginning and end. Neither tiredness, oral contraception, medication, attention, nor social expectations can explain this finding. Of the behaviors studied in the KAE literature, only five are also encompassed by the menstrual cycle literature. Four of these (antisocial behavior, acute schizophrenic episodes, accidents, and activity level) show similar curvilinearity over the cycle. We hypothesize that cyclical variation in the SIM mechanism mediates the curvilinear pattern observed for both these four behaviors and KAE.


Acquired monocular nystagmus in monozygous twins. Twins girls presented with monocular nystagmus, head-nodding, and tilting in early infancy. This disorder resolved without therapy or residual defect. This case represents the first documented report of spasmus nutans presenting with only monocular nystagmus in twins. The etiology of spasmus nutans and monocular nystagmus is discussed in light of recent clinical and experimental observations.


Inherited Duane's syndrome: mirror-like localization of oculomotor disturbances in monozygotic twins. Abnormal innervation hampered the left eye in one twin, while producing the same effect in the right  eye of the other twin and in that of his mother.


Lactose and casein content of nonpuerperal breast secretion. Twenty-seven patients with nonpuerperal breast secretion were evaluated for the presence of casein and lactose in the secretions. Only two of seven patients with brownish or greenish secretions were positive for both lactose and casein although an additional six patients were positive for casein alone. Two patients with clear breast secretions were positive for both casein and lactose. However, 16 of 17 patients with milky or white secretions were positive for both casein and lactose. Although casein and lactose are more likely to be present in white breast secretions, other types of breast secretions may also contain these constituents.


Modified Marshall, Marchetti and Krantz operation. A modification of the Marshall, Marchetti and Krantz procedure is described that uses the Babcock clamp for exposure and the rectus muscle for suspension in order to reduce the complications and technical difficulties. The procedure was utilized for 30 patients, and in the same period 27 patients were treated with the nonmodified procedure. A follow-up from one to six years resulted in one patient with a complete failure and another with a partial failure in the modified group and five patients with complete failure in the nonmodified group. The complications rates were essentially the same. However, in the nonmodified group there was one patient with osteitis pubis, one patient with urethral stenosis and two patients with prolonged urinary retention. The results suggest that the modified technique is simple and successful in correcting stress urinary incontinence in women if coupled with adequate study of the patient and careful selection of the treatment.


A presumptive new variant of Norrie's disease. The present report describes a Brazilian Negro sibship with six males affected by a presumptive new variant of Norrie's disease, an X-linked congenital oculo-acoustical-cerebral degeneration. In addition to the typical stigmata of the disease, all the patients were microcephalic and two of them had cryptorchidism. Possible non-genetic aetiology was investigated with negative results. Xg blood group studies were informative and the lod scores are given, together with those for two previously reported families with Norrie's disease.


The sex ratio in anencephaly.

The sex ratio in anencephaly. A review of the data supports the suggestion of Knox (1974) that the sex ratio and incidence of anencephalics vary together within populations, as they are known to do between populations. There seems some doubts, though, whether Knox was correct in hypothesising that the sex ratio of anencephalics varies with their incidence in relation to the dizygotic twinning rate. The pattern of variation seems to suggest that there are two sorts of cause of anencephaly, one of which is environmental and affects predominantly female embryos. The other may be environmental or genetic, and seems to attack the sexes in roughly equal numbers. If this hypothesis were correct, it would carry implications for the testing of specific teratogens.


Induction of reversion from the L-form to the sporogenous phase of Bacillus licheniformis var. endoparasiticus (Benedek). The rate of reversion from the L-form to the complete bacillus phase of Bacillus licheniformis var. endoparasiticus (BLE)was increased by a factor of c. x20, by growth in the presence of 1% diaminopimelic acid in a well plate, and c. x25 with a 1% hog gastric mucin spread on the plate surface. Saturated riboflavin solution and growth products of staphylococci in wells had a lesser effect. The revertants were subsequently stable when isolated in the absence of additive. The rate of reversion from a spheroplast to a diphtheroid phase was not significantly altered by these additives. These findings are of practical value in studies to distinguish between the BLE sporing bacillus and postulated phases of the organism that include diphtheroid and spheroplast L-forms and debated mycoplasma-like forms.


Case report: treatment of catbite injuries of the hand. Catbite or scratch injuries frequently contain mixed organisms, and penicillin or erythromycin alone may not give adequate coverage, as shown in the cases described. Incision and drainage should not be neglected or deferred when a deep infectious process is present or bones, joints, or tendon sheaths are involved. Finally, a catbite injury is a deep penetration injury with potentially virulent organisms that require close followup and awareness of potential problems.


Ureteral complications after intravesical formalin instillation. Results of formalin therapy for hemorrhage owing to post-radiation cystitis have been studied with special reference to the frequency and severity of ureteral complications. Gross bleeding stopped in 25 of 27 patients within 48 hours. However, 5 patients became anuric immediately after the instillation and in another 7 patients a transient increase in the serum creatinine level was observed. Urinary diversion was necessary in 11 of the 27 patients. The complication rate in the present study is considerably higher than reported previously. Complications may be explained by vesicoureteral reflux of a too strong formalin-alcohol solution. To avoid future complications we suggest that 1) a high diuresis should be induced peroperatively, 2) a 1 to 2 per cent formalin solution without alcohol should be used and 3) the instillation pressure should not exceed 15 cm. water.


Urodynamics of female urinary incontinence with emphasis on stress incontinence. More than 500 female patients with urinary incontinence were studied in our urodynamic laboratory by simultaneous recordings of urethral pressure at 2 levels, bladder pressure, intra-abdominal pressure, and by uroflowmetry and cine-fluoroscopy. Urethral pressure profile under basal conditions was compared to that in patients with a full bladder, under the stress of sharp or sustained increase in intra-abdominal pressure, voluntary perineal muscle activity and patient's position. From these studies stress and urge incontinence, and neurogenic varieties (or a combination of several types) could be differentiated. The clinical application of our findings will be discussed.


Pitfalls of urodynamics.

Pitfalls of urodynamics. Increased interest and use of urodynamic testing have led many clinicians to rely on the results for patient care. Numerous shortcomings and possible sources of error have been identified. Well trained personnel, properly structured examination rooms and understanding of the potential pitfalls in urodynamics are essential to proper medical management of patients with micturition problems.


The changing social implications of vesicovaginal fistulas: linking vesical catheters--a useful adjunct. Constant urinary leakage is a serious social and physical problem accompanying a vesicovaginal fistula in curable and incurable patients. The method of linking vesical catheterization is presented as a useful adjunct available to the urologic surgeon. Its applicability in the curable patient awaiting operation and the incurable or inoperable patient is described.


The evaluation of plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity in essential and secondary hypertension. The relation of plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity to age was examined in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Plasma DBH activity was the highest in the group of 25--34 years and gradually decreased with age. Plasma DBH activity was higher in the hypertensives than in the normotensives in all age groups, and the difference was significant between the groups of 45--54 and 55--64 years. Plasma DBH activity was increased in labile hypertension. Plasma DBH activity was higher in the group of essential hypertension with normal renal function than in that with reduced renal function. It was lower in the severe hypertensives than in the mild cases. Plasma DBH activity was also decreased in the hypertensive patients with cerebrovascular disorders. Plasma DBH activity was lower in the hypertensive patients with renal parenchymal diseases than those of essential hypertension with normal renal function. Plasma DBH activity was also decreased in primary aldosteronism, while it was increased in pheochromocytoma. These observations suggest that measurement of plasma DBH activity may be valuable in the differentiation of essential hypertension from the secondary forms of hypertension, and the evaluation of the hypertensive processes. To evaluate plasma DBH activity, it is important to consider its age-related changes.


Effect of stimulation of locus coeruleus on the evoked potential in the amygdala in rats. Effects of stimulation of the locus coeruleus (LC) on evoked potential in the medial amygdala elicited by stimulation of the olfactory bulb (OB-AME potentials) were studied in the gallamine-immobilized rats. The amplitude of the OB-AME potential was inhibited 27.5% by the conditioning stimulation of LC delivered 30 msec before the test stimulation. The inhibitory effect of LC was reduced by propranolol 5 mg/kg i.p., but not by phentolamine 10 mg/kg i.p.. This effect was also reduced by tetrabenazine 10 mg/kg i.p.. Methamphetamine 5 mg/kg i.p. produced considerable potentiation of the LC inhibitory effect and a reduction of the OB-AME potential itself. These results suggest that the LC plays an inhibitory role in the electrical activity of the medial amygdala.


Dissociation of the diurnal variation of aldosterone and cortisol in anephric subjects. Diurnal variation of plasma aldosterone and cortisol concentration in man was studied in 13 anephric subjects and 7 normal subjects. All subjects were ambulatory and active throughout the study except during an 8-hour sleep period. Six anephric subjects received Kayexalate (sodium polystyrene sulfonate) during the studies to prevent potassium accumulation and increase in plasma potassium concentration. Diurnal variation of plasma aldosterone concentration with peak and nadir concentrations at 12:00 noon and 12:00 midnight respectively was demonstrated in the studies on normal subjects. Changes in plasma aldosterone concentration were not significantly correlated with changes in plasma concentration but were highly correlated with changes in PRA (P less than 0.001). There was a highly significant correlation between plasma aldosterone and potassium concentration in the anephric subjects studied without Kayexalate administration (P less than 0.001). In the anephric subjects who received Kayexalate, plasma aldosterone and potassium concentration remained stable, and no correlation could be demonstrated. No diurnal variation of plasma aldosterone concentration could be demonstrated in either group of anephric subjects, whereas plasma cortisol concentration varied as in the studies on normal subjects. Conclusion. Diurnal variation of plasma aldosterone concentration is dependent on continued stimulation by the renin-angiotensin system. Loss of this stimulation has no demonstrable effect on the diurnal variation of plasma cortisol concentration.


[Familial occurrence of Elfin's face (Williams-Beurens Syndrome =wbs) and supravalvular aortic stenosis (= svas) (author's transl)]. Three siblings out of two families -- the mothers being sisters -- have signs of WBS: a girl shows the complete picture of elfin's face syndrome; a boy who needed surgical treatment for severe supravalvular aortic stenosis, presents only with minimal signs of the peculiar facies like his mother. His brother has slight supravalvular aortic stenosis. The three children described show trivial peripheral pulmonary stenosis. It is known that SVAS and WBS may show a dominant mode of inheritance with variable expressivity. The purpose of this study was to find signs which would prove a dominant inheritance in this kinship. Dental malpositions and coarse upperlip with shallow philtrum where the only symptomes found in the patients and their mothers. If we accept this traits as markers for the syndrome than we could assume a dominant way of inheritance.


[Pulmonary insufficiency in childhood. Contribution to diastolic murmurs (author's transl)]. Diastolic murmurs in childhood are in most cases due to pulmonary insufficiency. They may be functional (Graham-Steel-murmurs, for instance with idiopathic pulmonary ectasis or pulmonary hypertension), but are more and more the symptom of postoperative pulmonary insufficiency. Diastolic murmurs of pulmonary insufficiency were found after operations of valvular and infundibular pulmonary stenosis in 92,5% of the cases (40 children) and after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot in 89% of 27 children. The diastolic murmur of pulmonary insufficiency is very good recorded in phonocardiography; with postoperative heart catheterisations and angiocardiography there is good estimation of the degree of the pulmonary insufficiency. There is no doubt about the curative effort of operations in these congenital heart defects, and postoperative pulmonary insufficiency does not impair the operative improvement in childhood. Till now long term observations of these cases up to late adulthood cannot be possible; regular pediatric cardiologic examinations of these operated children are mandatory.


[The effect of acetylsalicylic acid on some parameters of peripheral circulation in children (author's transl)]. Acetylsalicylic acid in a single dose of 10 mg/kg orally affected the skin temperature of the hand of febrile and afebrile children. In the afebrile group the rise of skin temperature after 1 hour (p less than 0,05) and 2 hours (p less than 0.01) was not accompanied by significant change of the sublingual or axillar temperature. In the febrile group the rise of the skin temperature of the 3rd finger after 1 hour (p less than 0,001) and 2 hours (p less than 0.001) was accompanied by a significant decrease of the sublingual and axillar temperature and by a decrease of pulse rate. The changes were more pronounced after 1 hour after administration of the drug. Similarly, the acetylsalicylic acid enhanced the relative blood flow through the skin of the finger of hand.


[Interstitial deletion of a chromosome nr. 13: a new syndrome? (author's transl)]. We report on a 7-year-aged girl with severe mental and physical retardation, short stature and malformations of the face and limbs. In the karyogramm an interstitial deletion of the long arm of a chromosome Nr. 13 was found. The karyotypes of the parents, the girl's brother and of three of her sisters were normal. In the discussion the symptoms of the few hitherto published cases with interstitial or terminal deletion of the chromosome 13 are compared. Till now, however, it is not possible to attach particular symptoms of 13q- -- syndromes to certain bands of the chromosome Nr. 13.


[Arthogryposis multiplex congenita with neurogenic atrophy and brachydactyly (author's transl)]. Case report of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita with histologically proved neutrogene atrophy of muscles. The also existing reduction deformities of the limbs, showing aplasia and hypoplasia of phalanges may hypothetically be of neuropathic origin.


[Left ventricular aneurysm in an eight-year-old girl (author's transl)]. A female patient with a heart murmur typical for mitral insufficiency that was first heard, when she was 17 months old, is reported. In the ECG flattened T-waves in the left praecordial leads are seen. Because of a typical x-ray seven years later the diagnosis of leftventricular aneurysm was suspected, guaranteed by angiocardiography and because of repeated supraventricular tachycardias the congenital aneurysm was operated. A differentiation between congenital diverticulum and congenital aneurysm is established, the clinical symptoms of this malformation and the therapeutic consequences are discussed.


[A case of hyperlipoproteinaemia of type I (author's transl)]. The article reports on a boy of six years of age with hyperlipoproteinaemia of Type I. His case was notable for abducens paralysis and hepatosplenomegaly. Routine diagnosis with plasmatriglyceride and plasma-cholesterol, as well as liproprotein electrophoresis, was supplemented by measurement of the activity of the triglyceride lipases in the post-heparinplasma.


In vitro durability of Hancock Model 242 porcine heart valve. Two Hancock Model 242 prostheses, tissue anulus diameter 21 mm., were tested in a closed, low-volume, accelerated fatigue tester. The fluid media was sterils fresh-frozen plasma. The normal human aortic root was simulated. The cyclic rate was 20 Hz at 37 degrees C. The prostheses developed severe fatigue at 77 million cycles. Fraying of the free edges was found after 2 million cycles. Small tears near the commissures and then holes between collagen bundles at the base of the leaflets appeared at 7 million cycles. At 71 million cycles the leaflets began to tear and complete prolapse, with gross valvular insufficiency occurring at 77 million cycles. The accelerated wear of Hancock procine prosthesis is frequency dependent and independent of media and the flow geometry of the testing device.


A positive correlation between declining immune competence and early mortality associated with diethylnitrosamine carcinogenesis in aging mice. The effect of age (2.5, 9.5, and 17 months) at time of treatment upon diethylnitrosamine (DEN) carcinogenesis and immune competence has been assessed in female BALB/c mice. Median times of death were 193, 168, and 125 days, respectively, after termination of DEN treatment. Immune competence as a measure by both cell-mediated and humoral immune parameters immediately after DEN treatment was not significantly different among treated and age-matched non-treated control animals. In contrast, a significant age-related decline in immune competence was seen in both DEN-treated and non-treated controls, thereby demonstrating a direct and positive correlation between the natural age-related decrease in immune competence and cancer-induced advanced mortality.


Effect of parental age and developmental rate on the production of active form of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Three similar experiments were conducted to see the effect of parental age and parental developmental speed on the production of "active-form" (i.e., capable of flight) offspring in Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). In experiment I, using the adults which emerged on three different days (as fast, intermediate, and slow in development), eggs were collected on three different days (at young, middle, and old age) during the adult life span. The results showed that the older parents produced more active-form offspring irrespective of the parents' own rate of development. In experiment II, the parental rate of development was investigated in more detail by using the adults that emerged over the entire span of their emergence period. In experiment III, the effect of parental age was investigated in more detail by collecting the eggs daily during the female adult's entire life span. Both experiments confirmed the trend observed in experiment I. From these results it can be concluded that the older the parents, the higher the percentage of the active form in their offspring. However, there was no significant systematic trend due to the length of the developmental period of the parents as seen in the parental age. This trend, that more active forms emerge from older parents, seems to be related to the decreased viability of older parents. It is thought that the less viable eggs produced by older parents are more susceptible to stimuli which induce the active form.


Tympanoplasty using formaldehyde formed fascia grafts. The closure of total perforations of the tympanic membrane has always been more difficult than lesser eardrum defects. Postoperative anterior sulcus blunting and graft lateralization occur with greater frequency in this situation and thus compromise results. In 1975, Rodney Perkins developed and described a technique for the closure of such total perforations which involved the use of formaldehyde treated temporalis muscle fascia, shaped by means of a metal mold into the configuration of a normal tympanic membrane and medial end of the bony external ear canal. This formaldehyde formed fascia (FFF) graft impressed us with its adaptability and logic. This article is a review of 139 cases involving the use of formaldehyde treated grafts not only for closure of total performations, but also for closure of total performations with concomitant middle ear ossicular reconstruction. The postoperative nonperforation rate in this series is 96.4%; blunting and/or graft lateralization was absent in 94.2% of cases. Closures of the air-bone gap to within 20 db occurred in 74% of cases with an overall gain in hearing for all cases of 84%. We believe that formaldehyde formed fascia grafts are an effective tool for the closure of total tympanic membrane perforations with or without concomitant ossicular chain reconstruction.


[The 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine test in patients with amenorrhea and galactorrhea]. Two cases with expanding pituitary tumours following treatment with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine are presented. The lack of normal response to the usual therapeutic dose of the drug suggests the presence of an organic hypothalamo-pituitary disorder that might favour the expansion of a pituitary tumour.


Gastric carcinoma promoted by alkaline reflux gastritis -- with special reference to bile and other surfactants as promoters of postoperative gastric cancer. For reasons that are not known, the incidence of stomach cancer is declining in most countries. In contrast, cancer of the gastric remnant after partial gastrectomy for peptic ulcer disease seems to be increasing. "Stump cancer" has been claimed to be a separate disease entity and has recently been mentioned as an iatrogenic cancer. Alkaline bile reflux, dietary surfactants and maybe the abuse of tobacco are postulated as promoting or initiating agents, in causing malignant transformation of the operated as well as non-operated stomach. Variations in gastric pH, microflora and emptying rate may be of importance in the carcinogenic process. The decline in cancer incidence in the non-operated stomach has mainly been restricted to the intestinal type of cancer. Thus, it is important to note that stump cancer often is of the diffuse type. Different target cells and/or modes of carcinogen exposure may be of etiological importance in these histologically and clinically separate neoplastic diseases.


A model of translational control involving mRNA-associated proteins in chick embryonic muscles. Highly purified poly(A)-containing free and polysomal mRNP particles have been isolated by chromatography of subcellular fractions of chick embryonic muscles on oligo-dT-cellulose and elution with low salt buffer at 45 degrees. The free and polysomal mRNP represent two distinct classes of macromolecules, the free particles having a more complex nucleoprotein organization than the polysomal particles. Comparison of the protein moieties of three classes of poly(A)-containing cytoplasmic mRNP -- those released from nuclei after in vitro transcription and processing (transported mRNP), the free, and polysomal mRNP -- strongly suggests that the majority of the mRNA-associated proteins are exchanged in the cytoplasm during the various functional states of mRNA. A model of translational control involving the participation of mRNA-associated proteins in chick embryonic muscles and by analogy in other differentiated eukaryotic cells is proposed.


[Purification and properties of leucyl-tRNA synthetase from the cow mammary gland]. Three forms (E1, E2 and E3) of leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography of total aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from cow lactating mammary gland. The method of purification of all three components is described. E1 is a dimeric molecule (alpha 2) of molecular weight 182 000. Two other forms of molecular weight 67 000 and 64,000 consist of a single polypeptide chain as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Optimum conditions and kinetic parameters of leucyl-tRNA formation were studied for every enzyme form. The low values of Vmax and thermostability are characteristic of E3. All forms of LeuRS interact with 6 isoaccepting tRNA(Leu) from lactating mammary gland and can activate leucine in the absence of tRNA. E2 and E3 are supposed to derive from the native enzyme by endogenous proteolysis. The physico-chemical properties of native LeuRS from lactating mammary gland are compared with those of LeuRS's from other sources.


The occurence of haemangioblastoma in three brothers of one family. The occurence of haemangioblastomas in three brothers is reported. From a review of the literature it becomes evident that only a few of such cases have been confirmed histologically. The interesting features of our three haemangioblastoma cases, which have all been confirmed histologically, are discussed.


The operative approach to lipomas of the corpus callosum. Survey on the incidence, pathology and the surgical attempts undertaken so far in lipomas of corpus callosum. Report of a case of radical removal with the aid of CO2-Laser beam followed by complete recovery in a 21-year-old woman.


Median raphe stimulation and sham procedures inhibit the LH surge. Acute electrolytic stimulation of the median raphe (MR) nucleus (MR Stim) between 13:00 and 16:00 h on proestrus blocked ovulation in 10 of the 21 rats tested, whereas all sham-treated (MR Sham, no current) animals ovulated normally (n = 12). MR Stim at 16:00 h on proestrus in individual cannulated rats 'turned off' the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in all animals tested. Unexpectedly, MR Sham treatment also abruptly inhibited the LH surge, although all animals ovulated. Manipulations associated with acute surgical procedures (puncture of the dura mater, ether anesthesia alone) were also found to inhibit the LH surge, with the magnitude of LH inhibition directly related to the severity of the operative procedures performed (p less than 0.025). The results suggest (1) that inhibition of ovulation following MR stimulation can be attributed to a response to stress qualitatively similar but more severe than that experienced by the MR sham group, and (2) that inhibitory inputs to the ovulatory LH release mechanism cannot be studied using acute surgical procedures.


Experimental alterations of endorphin levels in rat pituitary. Endorphin (END) levels in rat pituitary were assessed with the opiate receptor binding assay. Procedures reported to alter hormone secretion from END-rich intermediate or anterior lobes were examined for their effect on END content. Lesions of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) had no significant effect on END content. Ingestion of 2% NaCl reduced END levels in a significant majority of the animals. Suckling, a natural physiological stimulus, significantly elevated neurointermediate lobe END. Footshock and immobilization each evoked 40--50% reductions in anterior lobe END content. Pituitary ENDs are thus affected by many of the same stimuli that also promote release of a number of peptide hormones derived from the same biosynthetic precursor. However, separate mechanisms likely exist for control of secretion of these peptides from anterior and neurointermediate lobe.


The role of bromocriptine in the treatment of parkinsonism. Fifty-three patients with parkinsonism, either with intractable symptoms despite optimum-dosage levodopa therapy or with adverse effects from levodopa limiting its usefulness, were treated with bromocriptine, with gradually increasing doses until benefit or adverse effect was encountered. All were initially maintained on optimal levodopa therapy. Improvement was seen in 26 patients, of whom 19 (36 percent of the total 53 patients) had sustained improvement. Effective doses of bromocriptine ranged from 5 to 90 mg per day. Improvement occurred in all categories of clinical problems, including patients who lost some benefit from chronic levodopa therapy as well as those with adverse effects from levodopa. A high incidence (70 percent) of adverse effects of bromocriptine limited the usefulness of this drug. Since one cannot predict which patients might benefit from bromocriptine, this drug is worth a trial in patients not doing well on levodopa therapy if other means to improve their condition are not successful.


Computed tomography and childhood seizure disorders. Computerized tomography (CT) was performed on 256 children with seizure disorders. The incidence of abnormal scans was closely related to seizure type, and permitted separation of patients into a low-yield and a high-yield group. Low-yield groups included children with idiopathic generalized seizures, children in whom both the neurologic examination and electroencephalogram (EEG) were normal, and children with a generalized seizure of unknown etiology in whom the neurologic examination and the EEG were normal. The high-yield groups included children with partial seizures with elementary symptomatology, partial seizures with complex symptomatology, generalized seizures with known etiology, neonates with seizures, and children whose seizures began as neonates. The overall incidence of abnormalities in the entire group was 33 percent. An abnormal neurologic examination increased the incidence of abnormal CT scans to 64 percent. EEGs were abnormal in 65 percent of the children, but only focal slowing resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of abnormal CT scans. Seven children (2.7 percent) had intracranial abnormalities requiring surgery. If the neurologic examination and EEG were normal, the yield of abnormal CT scans was only 5 percent of the total.


Brainstem auditory evoked responses in leukodystrophies. Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) were recorded in seven patients with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher leukodystrophy (PMD), two with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), and one with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). BAERs were altered in all patients, and the alterations were severe in 9 of the 10 patients. A patient with ALD who as yet had no neurologic symptoms showed only minimal abnormality of the BAERs, consisting of prolongation of the latency of wave V. In the remaining nine patients, only wave I generated in the extramedullary portion of the eighth nerve was recorded with or without a wave II. Subsequent components (III through VII) were absent. No abnormality of BAERs was observed in the 10 known carriers of PMD. The combination of BAERs and EEG is helpful in differentiating leukodystrophy from progressive gray matter diseases.


Carotid and vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks: clinical and angiographic correlation. Carotid and vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) were clinically and angiographically correlated in 85 patients who had four-vessel angiography within 2 weeks after a TIA. The patients were divided into carotid and vertebrobasilar groups by clinical criteria. In the correlations of symptoms with arteriography, lesions of the contralateral internal carotid artery were observed in 54 percent of the patients. Of 39 patients with vertebrobasilar symptoms, 34 percent also had one carotid lesion and six patients had combinations of symptoms of both carotid and vertebrobasilar disease. In correlation with carotid bruits of the 85 patients, bruits were heard over one carotid artery in 42 percent. Subclavian bruits were heard in 47 percent of the patients with vertebrobasilar symptomatology. TIAs owing to arteriosclerosis of the cervical arteries occurred in 85 percent of the patients, but there was no significant difference in the incidence of atherosclerosis-induced TIA in the carotid and vertebrobasilar systems. For accurate population surveys of the prevalence of TIAs, and for clinical decisions, proper categorization of patients is necessary.


Subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (Binswanger): computerized tomography. The subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy of Binswanger is characterized clinically by hypertension, dementia, spasticity, syncope, and seizures. It is usually diagnosed pathologically by the finding in white matter of diffuse demyelination or foci of necrosis plus arteriosclerotic and hypertensive vasculopathy. We present a case in which the diagnosis was made on the basis of the clinical course and a computerized tomogram which demonstrated extensive white matter degeneration. Postmortem examination confirmed both the diagnosis and the extent of the degeneration as shown by CT scan.


Cortical reflex myoclonus.

Cortical reflex myoclonus. Three patients with a type of myoclonus produced by intention and somatosensory stimulation were studied with electrophysiologic techniques. Each jerk typically affected only a few contiguous muscles; agonist and antagonist muscles were activated simultaneously with a simple electromyographic (EMG) burst lasting 10 to 30 msec. Cranial nerve muscles were activated in an order indicating that the signal to produce the myoclonus traveled down the brainstem. In action-induced jerks a negative transient in the electroencephalogram (EEG) from the contralateral sensorimotor cortex consistently preceded the jerk with a fixed latency. In reflex-induced jerks this negative transient could be recognized as a component of the sensory evoked potential. The types of myoclonus are reviewed and it is argued that this type of myoclonus is mediated in cerebral cortex and that the negative transient represents a paroxysmal depolarization shift (PDS). The myoclonus may result from hyperactivity of a component of the long-latency stretch reflex.


Early myocardial disease and cramping myalgia in Becker-type muscular dystrophy: a kindred. We present a clinical and morphological study concerning a kindred with slowly progressive X-linked muscular dystrophy (Becker type). Five males were affected; one died of heart failure at age 16. Severe and early cardiac disorder is unusual in this type of muscular dystrophy, and death at such an early age had not been reported previously. In the other patients of the kindred, cardiac abnormalities, if present at all, were nonspecific. Another unusual feature in this kindred was severe muscle pain at an early stage of the disease, a feature that cannot yet be explained.


Regulation of plasma potassium in hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is frequently considered a disorder in which episodes of weakness and an attendant rise in plasma potassium interrupt a baseline of normal strength and potassium. We studied venous potassium throughout a 36-hour period in two patients with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and in nine normals under rigidly controlled conditions. At no time did the patients with periodic paralysis have an attack of weakness, but their mean potassium concentrations were above the normal range for 33 to 36 hours. In hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, the postprandial change in potassium relative to insulin release exceeded normal. There appears to be a continuous alteration in potassium regulation in our patients with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.


Voluntary vertical nystagmus.

Voluntary vertical nystagmus. A patient with hypertropia caused by fourth-nerve palsy manifested primary position oscillations characteristic of voluntary nystagmus. This benign condition must be kept in mind even when dealing with primary position vertical nystagmus to avoid extensive and potentially dangerous investigations.


Stimulus-induced EEG complexes and motor spasms in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) typically present with spontaneous periodic, stereotyped electroencephalographic (EEG) complexes and motor spasms, which are not usually affected by sensory stimuli. This report describes two patients with SSPE in whom the EEG complexes and the motor movements occurred mainly in response to afferent stimuli. Various forms of stimuli were effective in precipitating the movements and EEG complexes, particularly when the stimulus was unexpected or startled the patient. During sleep, the EEG complexes spontaneously occurred in a more periodic fashion, typical of SSPE, but afferent stimuli were still effective in evoking the EEG complexes and associated motor spasms.


Sarcoid encephalopathy with diffuse inflammation and focal hydrocephalus shown by sequential CT. Sequential computerized tomography (CT) was performed on a patient with seizures and an organic mental syndrome. Cerebral sarcoidosis was subsequently diagnosed on the basis of noncaseating granulomas in three organ systems. Cranial nerve palsies, hypothalamic dysfunction, and widespread disease were absent. An unusual neuroradiologic sequence of events indicated focal and asymmetric hydrocephalus, mass effect, ependymitis, diffuse breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, and periventricular white matter destruction. These findings have not been previously described together in a patient with sarcoid. With the advent of noninvasive CT, it is possible to perform serial investigations of encephalopathies of obscure origin. Findings similar to those in the present case should prompt a thorough search for subclinical systemic involvement by sarcoid.


Association of meningiomas with extraneural primary malignancy. In an autopsy-based, case-control study of meningiomas over a 20-year period, there were 76 patients with meningiomas, and 20 of them also had an extraneural primary malignancy. In two control populations with autopsy-proved central nervous system (CNS) pathology (group I) and non-CNS pathology (group II), extraneural primary malignancies were seen in two patients in group I and in seven patients in group II. There was a high degree of statistical association between meningioma and extraneural primary malignancy (chi2 = 17.22, p less than 0.005 group I and chi2 = 7.61, p less than 0.01 group II). Screening of patients with meningioma for extraneural primary malignancy, and of patients with extraneural primary malignancy for meningioma are strongly indicated for the benefit of the patients as well as for further elucidation of the etiologic and temporal relationships between the two conditions.


Diminution of large pituitary tumor after replacement therapy for primary hypothyroidism. Thyroid-stimulating, hormone-producing tumors of the pituitary may be associated with primary hypothyroidism. The case presented here illustrates the rapid resolution of a large pituitary tumor after thyroid hormone replacement in a patient with primary hypothyroidism.


Familial Kearns-Sayre syndrome.

Familial Kearns-Sayre syndrome. The Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is a distinctive type of progressive external ophthalmoplegia, characterized by pigmentary degeneration of the retina, heart block, elevated concentration of cerebrospinal fluid protein, and abnormal muscle mitochondria. Previously described cases have all been sporadic. Consequently, viral infections and autoimmune disorders have been proposed as etiologies. The occurrence of KSS in two brothers suggests that genetic factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of some cases.


Persistent neurologic sequelae of migraine: a case report. Multiple cerebral infarctions occurred in a 32-year-old man with both basilar artery and hemiplegic migraine. One event was associated with decrement of propranolol dosage. Platelet aggregation, coagulation studies, and other laboratory studies were normal. Computerized tomography revealed several areas of both old and new infarction. The relationship of the migraine attacks to the brain infarcts remains circumstantial, but migraine was the only identifiable cause of the infarcts in this patient.


Unilateral asterixis: motor integrative dysfunction in focal vascular disease. In three patients we found unilateral asterixis in limbs contralateral to a discrete lesion adjacent to the internal capsule. Etiology was vascular in each, with no metabolic or toxic disturbance. Unilateral asterixis bespeaks focal disease arising from lesions in the thalamus or internal capsule and is a sign of motor integrative dysfunction.


Reversibility of human myopathy caused by vitamin E deficiency. Although a neuromuscular syndrome has been induced experimentally by vitamin E deficiency, a human syndrome has not yet been documented. This report describes a 7-year-old boy with severe malabsorption since birth who presented with progressive external ophthalmoplegia, proximal muscle weakness, peripheral neuropathy, hyporeflexia, and bilateral Babinski signs. Abnormalities on neurologic examination included elevated creatine phosphokinase and aldolase, slowed distal sensory latencies, type II muscle fiber atrophy, and a plasma vitamin E level of 8 microgram per deciliter (normal, 550-1500 microgram per deciliter). Treatment with oral water-solubilized vitamin E (400 IU daily; greater than 50 times the normal daily intake) was begun, with repeat laboratory studies at 3-month intervals. Over a 16-month period, plasma vitamin E content gradually increased to 350 microgram per deciliter, associated with declining sarcoplasmic enzyme activities and clinical improvement.


Experimental coonhound paralysis: animal model of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Coonhound paralysis (CHP), a polyradiculoneuritis of dogs that resembles the human Guillain-Barré syndrome, was experimentally reproduced by inoculating a dog with raccoon saliva. The test animal was a coonhound that had previously sustained two naturally occurring attacks of CHP. Success in inducing the disease strengthened the notion that raccoon saliva contains the etiologic factor for CHP and that only specifically susceptible dogs are at risk of developing CHP when exposed to this factor.


Spinal cord injury as a complication of an acupuncture. Recently, acupuncture has been widely performed for the treatment of many different diseases. We studied a patient with migraine who had been treated by "okibari," an acupunctural procedure. About 20 needles were inserted permanently in the subcutaneous tissues of his neck and occipital scalp. About 6 months later he hit the back of his neck, and soon after this accident cervical myelopathy occurred. There have been no similar reports.


[Splenectomy. Medical and surgical indications (observations on 95 cases)]. 95 splenectomies carried out at the General Surgery Division of the Busto Arsizio Circolo Hospital between 1967 and 1977 are reported. After some brief historical notes, stress is laid on those forms of primary or secondary splenopathy which are receptive to surgical intervention. Splenectomies with surgical indication (traumatic ruptures during other operations for various conditions) are distinguished from those with medical indication: Cooley, Werlhoff, Hodgkin, hair cell leukaemia, Banti. The clinical, haematological and physiopathological aspects responsible for splenic change are considered for each individual disease on the basis of personal experience.


[The DNCB skin test and its comparison with the radioimmunological determination of CEA in some types of neoplasms]. The personal series consists of 140 cancer patients followed up over a period of some 3 years and submitted prior to the start of treatment to the DNCB skin test. This test indicates the patient's immune condition and the degree of reactivity shown may be useful prognostically for assessing the course of the disease and its response to immunochemotherapeutic treatment; this was confirmed in 77% of case. The skin test has now been personally associated with CEA radio-immunological metering for patients suffering from breast, lung and digestive system cancer (40 cases in all). The hypothesis, which is supported by the results obtained, is that there is a correlation between CEA titre and skin reactivity to the immunostimulus; in effect, high CEA titres have generally always corresponded to little or no DNCB skin reactivity and vice versa.


Direct effects of neostigmine on aneural myotube cultures. Long term (24--96 h) treatment of a mouse-derived myogenic cell line (G8) with meostigmine or physostigmine markedly reduces binding of alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BuTx) to these cells. Protein synthesis in these cultures is markedly reduced and cell morphology degenerates. Myotubes maintain slightly hyperpolarised resting membrane potentials, and are able to respond to iontophoretic acetylcholine (ACh) application with overshooting action potentials. Prolonged exposure to neostigmine also inhibits protein synthesis in a fibroblastic cell line (B82). The results suggest that degenerative changes at the neuromuscular junction associated with chronic neostigmine treatment in vivo are due to a direct action of the anticholinesterase on the muscle, rather than to altered intracleft ACh levels [2] or to presynaptic effects of the anticholinesterase [15].


Effects of 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium on the depolarization by GABA of cultured satellite glial cells. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP) which selectively blocks K+-conductance of excitable membranes, reversibly abolished the depolarization by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) of cultured satellite glial (SG) cells, but did not or only slightly affect the action of GABA on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. It is therefore suggested that the depolarization of glial cells by GABA is an indirect effect due to the accumulation of K+ which is released from adjacent neurons during their depolarization by the amino acid. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) had no effect on the GABA depolarization at a concentration of 15 mM but produced a slight reduction at higher concentrations (60--70 mM).


Developmentally regulated induction of neurite outgrowth from immature chick sensory neurons (DRG) by homogenates of avian or mammalian heart, liver and brain. Neurite outgrowth is elicited from whole explants or dissociated neurons of 8--10-day-old chick embryo sensory, dorsal root ganglia when cultured in the presence of a high speed supernatant fraction (105,000 g) from homogenates of chick or rat heart, liver or brain. The neurite promoting activity is not identical to mouse nerve growth factor (NGF) and is non-dialyzable. Expression of this neurogenic factor would appear to be developmentally regulated as its activity is barely detectable in organs from 6--9-day-old embryos but specific activity rises dramatically in homogenates of organs from embryos of greater than 11 days incubation. Greatest activity is found in chick heart and rat brain with only trace levels in lung or kidney and none in spinal cord.


Enkephalin-like products in embryonic chicken retina. Using sensitive and highly specific radioimmunoassays, Met-enkephalin (Met-ENK) and Leu-enkephalin (Leu-ENK) have been shown to exist together in the retina of chicken embryo. After high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a fraction of the retinal extracts seems to be authentic Met-ENK. Following a G-50 filtration, the Met-ENK immunoreactivity has been found associated to three peaks, the lightest having an apparent molecular weight similar to that of the Met-ENK.


Regional displacement by sulpiride of [3H]spiperone binding in vivo. Biochemical and behavioural evidence for a preferential action of limbic and nigral dopamine receptors. The regional displacement by sulpiride of [3H]spiperone binding in vivo was studied in the rat. A low dose of sulpiride (20 mg/kg) displaced [3H]spiperone binding in certain limbic regions (olfactory tubercle, septum) and the substantia nigra but not in the nucleus accumbens or striatum. At this does sulpiride preferentially blocked apomorphine induced apomorphine Higher doses of sulpiride (150 and 250 mg/kg), which blocked apomorphine induced stereotypes and induced catalepsy were found to displace [3H]spiperone binding in all regions studied including the striatum and the nucleus accumbens. Haloperidol (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg) displaced [3H]spiperone to approximately the same extent in all regions studied.


Differential response of sister chromatid exchange and chromosome aberrations to mitomycin C of normal and abnormal human lymphocytic cell lines. Mitomycin C (MMC) induced chromosome aberrations and an increased sister chromatid exchange (SCE) incidence in a cell line derived from normal lymphocytes, whereas in lines originating from cells of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (lines SN1029 and SN1033) and Burkitt lymphoma (lines B35 M and HR1K) MMC caused a striking increase in SCE, but not in the frequency of chromosome abnormalities. The latter may be due to the failure of the cells with chromosome aberrations to survive, possibly related to their high sensitivity to MMC. The increased rate of SCE with MMC treatment was more marked in the neoplastic lymphocytic cells than in the normal ones; the sensitivity of SN1029 and SN1033 cells was 10 times higher and that of B35M and HR1K cells about 5 times higher than that of the normal cells. These observations suggest that the MMC-induced high rate of SCE in the neoplastic cells may in some aspects differ from the mechanism(s) leading to chromosome aberrations; and that SCE is a much more sensitive indicator of MMC effects than chromosome aberrations.


[Cytology of egg maturation in the silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) in artificial parthenogenesis]. The orientation of bivalentss in the first meiotic metaphase was studied on the squash preparations and sections of eggs in Bombyx mori L., Antheraea pernyi Guèr and Carpocapsa pomonella L. The reduction fissure of bivalents separating the homologous chromosomes lies in the plane of spindle equator; the equation fissure separating the sister chromatids is parallel to the long spindle axis. Complicated rearrangements are observed in the nuclei of the silkworm eggs stimulated to ameiotic parthenogenesis by the high temperature dissociation of bivalents, full destruction of spindle, formation of a new spindle and metaphase plate. The latter includes univalent chromosomes involved in the equation division. As a result, two genetically identical pronuclei with the somatic set of chromosomes are formed.


Dietary Na+ effects on transepithelial transport of NaCl by hen (Gallus domesticus) lower intestine (colon and coprodeum) perfused luminally in vivo. The colon and coprodeum of anaesthetised laying hens was perfused luminally with solutions of varying compositions, to elucidate the influence of three levels of dietary NaCl and of luminal NaCl concentrations on coprodeal and colonic transport of NaCl. Net Na+ and Cl- absorption rates were increased in response to low dietary Na+ levels and higher luminal NaCl concentrations. Net Na+ absorption was always against the prevailing electrochemical gradient, saturably dependent on luminal Na+ concentrations in low Na+ diet birds, and linearly dependent on luminal concentrations in medium and high Na+ diet birds. Net Cl- absorption was usually down its electrochemical gradient. The Cl- flux rates were strongly linearly dependent on Na+ flux rates, and statistically this relationship could account for all significant variation of Cl- fluxes associated with dietary and perfusate treatments. Transmural electrical potential differences were invariably serosa positive, and partly correlated with Na+ fluxes.


Transepithelial transport of K+, NH4+, inorganic phosphate and water by hen (Gallus domesticus) lower intestine (colon and coprodeum) perfused luminally in vivo. The colon and coprodeum of anaesthetised laying hens was perfused luminally with solutions of varying compositions to elucidate the influence of three levels of dietary Na+ and of luminal fluid composition on transport of electrolytes and water. Net rates of secretion of K+ and absorption of NH4+ were increased in response to dietary Na+ depletion and increased luminal Na+ concentrations, but these fluxes were linked to Na+ transport and no dietary or perfusion treatment effects could be detected on them independently of effects on Na+ flux. Similar results were found for Na+-linked water absorption from isosmotic perfusates. Serosal-mucosal net osmotic flow with Na+-free perfusates was significantly reduced by Na+-depletion, but no significant dietary effect could be detected on the serosal-mucosal osmotic permeability coefficient. The reflexion coefficient was effectively unity. Mucosal-serosal inorganic phosphate flux was small. The flux was independent of Na+ flux and dietary Na+ levels, and apparently facilitated by serosalmucosal osmotic flow. The data allowed determination of the absorption/secretion in coprodeum and colon of the ions investigated, as compared to the renal excretion rate.


d-Tyrosine prevents hypertension in DOCA-saline treated uninephrectomised rats. High blood pressure in DOCA-saline treated uninephrectomised rats is prevented or even reversed by tyrosine, tyramine or by treatments which - based on circumstantial evidence - might increase local brain tyramine concentration.


Vagus cardioinhibitory fibers in rats.

Vagus cardioinhibitory fibers in rats. In chloralose-urethane anesthetized rats, compound spike potentials provoked in the cervical vagus nerve with electrical stimulation of the central cut end were found to consist of three major groups, A, delta-B and C. A remarkable cardioinhibition was observed on repetitive stimulation of the vagus nerve with an intensity which gave rise to the delta-B spike potential group. However, when the stimulus intensity was increased further beyond the level where the delta-B potential group had reached the maximum, the potency of cardioinhibition continued to be reinforced with the development of the C potential group. Selective activation of C fibers by anodal block of conductions along A and delta-B fibers was still  associated with a considerable degree of cardioinhibition. These findings indicate that activities of both C fibers and delta-B fibers contribute to vagal cardioinhibition in rats and the view that the vagal cardioinhibition is mediated by B fibers, although valid in cats, can not be held applicable to all species of mammalians.


Failure of 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (TAP) to block sodium pathways in a "leaky" epithelium: the urinary bladder of the trout. The organic cation 2, 4, 6 - Triaminopyrimidine (TAP) used to block sodium permeability across leaky epithelia is ineffective on isolated urinary bladder of the trout. This observation suggests that this membrane does not present cation-selective paracellular pathways.


Mammalian-like thermosensitivity in the lower brainstem of the Pekin duck. In Pekin ducks the brainstem between the preoptic region and the medulla oblongata was probed with chronically implanted bilateral thermodes to evaluate its thermosensory function in temperature regulation. Cooling of the lower mesencephalic and rostral rhombencephalic region in conscious animals elicited cutaneous vasoconstriction and increased metabolic heat production by shivering. This finding contrasts to the observation of a paradoxical inhibition of cold defence activities by cooling the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic region in the same species.


Observations on the validity of using "NEN-TRAC" microspheres for measuring organ blood flow. "NEN-TRAC" brand of radioactive microsphere, 15 micron in diameter, have recently become available and therefore organ blood flow (Q) values obtained using these have been compared with values simultaneously obtained with the well-established "TRACER" brand of microspheres. For all major tissues of the body of two conscious sheep, there was excellent agreement between Q values obtained using NEN-TRAC Ce-141 and TRACER Sr-85 in one sheep, and between Q values obtained using NEN-TRAC Ce-141 and Sn-113 and TRACER Cr-51, Sr-85 and Nb-95 in a second sheep. It is concluded that NEN-TRAC microspheres satisfy the major validation tests to which TRACER microspheres have been previously subjected, and therefore it is valid to proceed with use of the new product.


Characteristics of intraluminal pressure sensing balloons of different materials. The physical properties of the balloons made of some polymeric substances were studied. The polyurethanes provided high frequency characteristics but air-leaking disqualified except ECD-651 which was most satisfactory: low permeability and ease of fabrication. Saran was proper but troublesome in making the balloon. Polypropylene and polyethylene, available in film, required heat sealing, which resulted in deformity and low frequency characteristics.


The circular dichroism and X-ray diffraction of DNA condensed from ethanolic solutions. It is known that DNA in aqueous-ethanol solutions undergoes a B to A conformational change between 60% and 80% (w/w) ethanol. We have found that precipitates formed by adding salt to DNA in 60% and 80% ethanolic solutions can be very different. DNA precipitated from 60% ethanol forms a fine condensate that only slowly settles out of suspension and shows a characteristic differential scattering of circularly polarized light at long wavelengths. DNA precipitated from 80% ethanol forms a flocculent aggregate that exhibits the CD spectral features of the A conformation. Data from circular dichroism spectra of natural and synthetic nucleic acids and from X-ray diffraction patterns of the precipitates show that DNA molecules precipitated from 60% and 80% ethanol are, respectively, in the B and A conformation. Therefore, the different secondary conformations of DNA in ethanolic solutions are maintained during precipitation under these conditions. These results are of general importance for the preparation and study of condensed forms of DNA, since a relatively small change in the extent of dehydration can change the secondary conformation of DNA and markedly affect the character of a subsequent precipitate.


[Bronchial asthma of allergic or irritative origin as an occupational disease (author's transl)]. The development or exacerbation of an asthmatic condition is more often than is commonly realized attributable to the inhalation during work of substances which have either antigenic properties or induce physico-chemical damage to the mucous membranes. The following substances were found to play a causal role in the development of asthma in exposed persons: penicillin dust, dust inhaled during the threshing of grain, persulfate, formalin, inorganic cooling agents. Procedures to ascertain the aetiology of these occupation-induced obstructive bronchial disease are reviewed. The inhalation challenge test, exposure tests at the place of work and removal of the affected person from contact with the suspected antigen are discussed in respect of their diagnostic value.


[Changes in protein and nucleic acid metabolism as 1 of the methods for evaluating gonadotoxic action]. Low concentrations of formaldehyde (0,035 mg/m3) exert injurious effect on the testes. Changes were found in the RNA and DNA content, inhibition of deoxyribonuclease activity and reduced soluble protein content in testicular homogenate. Along with this, there was decrease in spermatozoid motility, indicating eventual weakening of the fecundating capacity of male rats. The parameters used, characterizing nuclein and protein metabolism in the testes, may serve as objective and very sensitive index in testing the gonadotoxic effect of low concentrations of chemical agents. The results of this study should be taken into consideration in making hygiene-toxicologic characteristics of formaldehyde, with special reverence to the threshold of its gonadotoxic effect.


Scotophobin A causes dark avoidance in goldfish by elevating pineal N-acetylserotonin. We had shown that synthetic rat scotophobin A caused several effects upon goldfish, apparently mediated by the pineal gland. Here we report that norepinephrine decreased goldfish dark avoidance in a manner that was blocked by scotophobin or pinealectomy. Increased dark avoidance was caused by either propranolol or scotophobin alone. Certain components of the pineal melatonin pathway also affected goldfish light-dark preference: serotonin, and especially N-acetylserotonin, increased dark avoidance, as did the hydroxyindole-O-methyl-transferase (HIOMT) product inhibitor, S-adenosyl-homocysteine. Melatonin and S-adenosyl-methionine were without effect in this regard. Pinealectomy prevented the dark avoidance increase caused by serotonin and N-acetylserotonin. These data suggested that increased dark avoidance behavior in goldfish was correlated with N-acetylserotonin buildup in the pineal, and that scotophobin could cause this, if it were to inhibit pineal HIOMT. To test this hypothesis the effect of various agents upon pineal melatonin levels was determined. Scotophobin was found to both reduce pineal melatonin and to block the melatonin-increasing effect of N-acetylserotonin. This led to the discovery that, indeed, scotophobin was an effective inhibitor (KI50, 6 x 10(-7) M) of purified bovine HIOMT.


Pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase: mechanism, and inhibition by scotophobin A. We had shown that the behaviorally active peptide, scotophobin A, a synthetic analogue of native scotophobin, acted to increase dark avoidance in goldfish by inhibiting pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), the enzyme which converts N-acetylserotonin (NAS) to melatonin (MEL). Here we determine the reaction sequence of bovine pineal HIOMT and the mechanism whereby scotophobin A inhibits this enzyme. Initial rate studies in which the substrates NAS and the methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine SAM), were independently varied indicated the enzyme reacted by a sequential mechanism. With the product, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), included in the reaction mixtures, data were obtained consistent with the following order of substrate addition and product discharge: (see text). The turnover number was 5.7 moles melatonin formed/mole HIOMT/min. The substrate KMs were 4.2 x 10(-4) M for NAS and 4.9 x 10(-5) M for SAM. Further studies showed that scotophobin A is an inhibitor (KI = 7 x 10(-7) M) competitive with NAS, indicating that this peptide combines with the enzyme-SAM complex. The structural similarity of the tyrosinamide end of scotophobin A to NAS and several other HIOMT inhibitors, including two antischizophrenic drugs, is consistent with these observations.


Potentiation of haloperidol-induced catalepsy by dopamine agonists: possible involvement of central 5-hydroxytryptamine. Apomorphine (0.12--2 mg/kg, SC) and d-amphetamine (1--8 mg/kg, IP) were each able, at certain doses, to potentiate the cataleptic state produced by the neuroleptic agent, haloperidol (1 mg/kg, IP). In subsequent biochemical experiments, in which the effects of combinations of apomorphine or d-amphetamine and haloperidol on brain monoamine levels were studied, this behavioural observation was seen to be related to an enhanced utilisation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in certain brain regions. The results suggest not only the possible involvement of 5-HT in the production of catalepsy, but also that the effects of these 'classical' dopamine agonists on other central transmitter systems should be considered when interpreting their various behavioural responses.


Endocrine factors contributing to the ethanol preferences of rodents. Groups of C57 Bl/6j mice (alcohol preferring) and DBA/2j mice (alcohol avoiding) were fasted for 24 hours and administered glucose. At 30, 120 and 300 minutes after glucose, the C57 Bl/6j mice had significantly higher levels of plasma glucose than the DBA/2j strain. These differences were observed in comparable groups given either forced access or no access to alcohol. In ad lib fed animals never exposed to alcohol, C57 Bl/6j mice had higher levels of plasma insulin than DBA/2j mice. Plasma levels of glucose and corticosterone were not significantly different in ad lib or fasted animals. The injection of insulin zinc protamine to DBA/2j mice produced 100% convulsions within one hour, but produced to convulsions in C57 Bl/6j mice for as long as 4 hours after administration. These data demonstrate that an insulin resistancy exists in C57 Bl/6j mice which is not dependent upon any prior alcohol experience. Evidence supporting a functional relationship between this diabetogenic disturbance and alcohol preference was obtained in C57 Bl/6j mice which were allowed to choose between water or a 10% alcohol solution (v/v). Insulin zinc protamine produced a selective dose-dependent reduction in alcohol intake. Additional support is received from the discovery that Chinese hamsters, a species genetically predisposed to diabetes, display an impressive preference for 10% alcohol.


Effects of prolintane on 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid concentration in rat brain after spiperone treatment. Prolintane (1-[alpha-propylphenethyl]-pyrrolidine) but not l-(alpha-methylphenethyl)-pyrrolidine markedly enhanced the increase in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid concentration in the brains of rats treated with spiperone, a neuroleptic drug. This action and other properties of prolintane described in the literature place it in a group of stimulant drugs that includes methylphenidate, cocaine and amfonelic acid with properties that differ from those of amphetamine.


Methylphenidate and d-amphetamine: effects and interactions with alphamethyltyrosine and tetrabenazine on DRL performance in rats. The effects of d-amphetamine and methylphenidate and their interactions with amine-depleting drugs were examined in rats trained to press a lever to obtain water reinforcement on a schedule that differentially reinforced responding at low rates (DRL). Both methylphenidate (2.5-20.0 mg/kg) and d-amphetamine (0.375-3.0 mg/kg) increased the rate of responding and decreased the frequency of reinforcement on the DRL schedule. Both drugs also shifted the interresponse time (IRT) distributions to the left such that the modal IRT occurred well below the minimum IRT required for reinforcement (d-amphetamine was abut eight times more potent than methylphenidate for each of these effects). The effects of both d-amphetamine and methylphenidate on DRL performance were attenuated by administration of alphamethyltyrosine (AMT) (150 mg/kg) and both drugs attenuated the response rate-suppressing effects of tetrabenazine (TBZ) (4.0 mg/kg). The similarity of the drug interactions between methylphenidate or amphetamine and AMT or TBZ suggest that the doses of methylphenidate and d-amphetamine examined act on similar catecholaminergic pools with the central nervous system to influence DRL performance.


Alcohol-deprivation effect in rats genetically selected for their ethanol preference. Alcohol deprivation and alternate-day access increase voluntary alcohol drinking by normal rat strains in a consistent manner. In contrast, the ANA strain developed by selective outbreeding for low alcohol intake during continuous access showed no increase in their alcohol drinking during alternate-day access and only a small increase after a week of deprivation. The AA strain developed for high alcohol intake showed an increase after a week of deprivation similar in magnitude to that of normal rats but persisting much longer. In order to have been selected, these deviant reactions to deprivation must have been related to deviant baseline levels of alcohol drinking during continuous access, but presently even the AAs with the lowest baselines show the persistent increase and the ANAs with the highest baselines show only small increases. Strain differences were also found in spontaneous alternation in a T-maze. A modification of Pinel and Huang's inhibitory factor model accounting for these results is presented.


On the role of ascending dopamine systems in the control of voluntary ethanol intake and ethanol intoxication. Selective lesions of the ascending dopamine pathways were made by bilateral injection of the neurotoxin 6-OHDA (8 micrograms/4 microliters). Catecholamine fluorescence histochemistry revealed a marked degeneration of the ascending mesostriatal and mesolimbic dopamine systems, while the hypothalamic dopamine and noradrenaline nerve terminals were unaffected. After recovery of feeding and drinking behaviors the voluntary ethanol intake was not different from that of the controls. The time of ethanol-induced narcosis and the extent of ethanol-induced hypothermia were not affected. In contrast, in a tilting-plane test conducted two months after the operation, ethanol impaired the performance of the 6-OHDA-treated rats significantly less than that of the controls. This finding suggests a role for the ascending dopamine neurons to the forebrain in the intoxicating effect of ethanol.


Effect of chlorpromazine and erythromycin on bile salt-induced cholestasis in the rat. The effects of subacute administration of chlorpromazine HCI (CPZ), erythromycine base and erythromycin estolate on the cholestatic response to intravenous taurolithocholate (TLC) and taurochenodeoxycholate (TCDC) in the rat were investigated. All three enhanced the recovery of bile flow after TCDC but not after TLC. Erythromycin base and estolate enhanced bile flow recovery after TCDC and potentiated the increase of plasma 5'-nucleotidase, as did CPZ. Neither erythromycin estolate nor CPZ precipitated a cholestatic response in rat maintained for 9-13 days on a diet supplemented with 0.05% lithocholic acid. It is concluded that the interaction of CPZ and erythromycins with bile salts is not based on the cholestatic properties of the drugs, and hence is not a practical way of distinguishing cholestatic from non-cholestatic drugs.


Taxonomic implications of Rhodotorula rubra isolates from polluted sea water in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sixty two strains of Rhodotorula rubra which were all isolated from marine and estuarine waters of Rio de Janeiro were found variable for 19 to 32 carbon assimilation tests used in yeast taxonomy. Two R. rubra strains which had latent assimilation of maltose and melizitose appeared to be intermediate with R. pilimanae. Strains of R. glutinis var dairenensis which differed from R. rubra only by weak assimilation of nitrate appeared to be intermediated between these two species. Our physiological tests suggested that R. rubra, R. pilimanae, and part of R. glutinis should be combined and this was supported by DNA base composition and coezyme Q data existing in the literature.


[Some ultrastructural aspects of the cardiac muscle of albino rat during the acute stress produced by formaldehyde (author's transl)]. The authors studied ultrastructurally the influence acute stress, produced by formaldehyde, has on some aspects of the cardiac muscle metabolism in albino rats. The results showed that the cardiac muscle was induced to develop additional work, represented ultrastructurally by an increase in the number of lipid droplets and increased concentration and volume of mitochondria.


[Formol-gasoline concentration technique for eggs and cysts (author's transl)]. Modification of the formol-ether concentration technique was made by substituting gasoline for ether and omitting Triton from the formula. Parallel examination of hundred (100) stool samples by the original and by the modified technique resulted in identical distribution of negative, light, medium and heavy positive slides. The same samples examined by the direct smear and by the Kato's technique gave lower rates of positives. The modified technique is useful in laboratories with limited material resources.


[Effect of the bilateral amygdaloid complex lesion on the hypothalamic l-leucinaminepeptidase activity in the male adult (author's transl)]. The effect of bilateral lesion of the amygdaloid nuclear complex on the hypothalamic L-leucinaminepeptidase (LAP) activity has been studied in the rat. Amygdalectomized animals show an increase in this activity, specially when lesion extends to the whole complex or when the basolateral and basomedial nuclei remain intact. The increase in LAP activity is not so significant when the lesion does not affect the cortical nucleus.


Effects of acute and chronic administration of pentobarbital on catecholamine uptake in mouse brain synaptosomes. The studies showed that pentobarbital at concentrations up to 10(-4) M failed to exhibit any effect on catecholamine uptakes in vitro. In mice treated both acutely and chronically with pentobarbital, there was a significant attenuation in both dopamine and norepinephrine uptakes into synaptosomal preparations. The decrease in both catecholamine uptakes during the course of the development of tolerance to pentobarbital was demonstrated to be time dependent. The ability of catecholamine uptake processes was restored by abrupt withdrawal of pentobarbital by the removal of pentobarbital pellet. It appears that both acute and chronic effects of pentobarbital on catecholamine uptakes may be associated with the development of tolerance to pentobarbital.


A radio-immunological assay for triamcinolone in plasma. A specific radioimmunoassay for the determination of picogram quantities of triamcinolone in plasma is reported. A rapid chemical separation method was incorporated in the procedure to remove the interfering endogenous hydrocortisone which cross reacts (5%) with the antiserum. Application of this radioimmunoassay to the analysis of triamcinolone plasma concentrations following oral administration of a 5 mg dose of the drug to a human volunteer is described.


Effect of chronic ethanol administration on phospholipid acyl groups of synaptic plasma membrane fraction isolated from guinea pig brain. Guinea pigs were induced chronic alcoholism with a liquid diet containing 5% (w/v) ethanol. There was no apparent change in acyl group composition in the myelin lipids; however, acyl group changes were observed in the phosphoglycerides of synaptic plasma membranes (SPM). In general, acyl group changes are related to a decrease in the proportion of monoenes in both choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides and an increase in polyenes (15%) in the ethanolamine phosphoglycerides. The changes observed may be associated to the increased membrane-dependent transport activities observed after chronic ethanol treatment.


[Isolation and in vitro cultivation of tumor cells from human bronchial carcinoma transplanted to the nu/nu mouse]. Isolation of pure human tumor cell lines from surgical specimens is still a difficult task. As a result, only a limited number of such cell lines is available for experimental and diagnostic work. In contrast, isolation of malignant cells from human tumors serially transplanted in "nude" mice offers many advantages. The amount of tissue obtainable is theoretically unlimited and the percentage of viable cells is usually much larger than in human surgical specimens. However, no simple and reliable technique for isolation and purification of nu/nu-mouse-grown human tumor cells has been available up to now. This preliminary communication describes such a method. Its applicability has been successfully tested on 4 human bronchogenic carcinomas from which pure tumor cell lines could be established.


5-Bromodeoxyuridine inhibits sequence changes within inverted repeat DNA during embryogenesis. Previous studies on the genome of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sea urchin have shown that changes in the nucleotide sequence of inverted repeat sequences occur during embryogenesis. The present study indicates that these sequence changes fail to occur when the embryos are raised in the presence of 5-bromodeoxyuridine. This drug is an analog of thymidine, is incorporated into the DNA during embryogenesis, and inhibits cell differentiation in these embryos.


Changes in the electro-encephalogram related to the menstrual cycle. A comparison has been made between the electro-encephalograms (EEG) recorded in the premenstrual phase and those recorded at mid-cycle in 25 healthy young women. In only 5 could no difference be discerned visually between the two records obtained from each subject. Eight premenstrual records showed a significant increase in mean alpha frequency and 17 showed an increase in mean alpha amplitude. Theta activity and mild paroxysms were twice as common in premenstrual records, as was an abnormal response to hyperventilation. These findings may correlate with subjective mood changes commonly experienced in the premenstrual phase and in the well-recognized tendency of certain epileptic women to have seizures only at the time of their menses. It is suggested that when reporting on the EEGs of female subjects, cognizance should be taken of the stage reached in the menstrual cycle at the time of recording.