Posture after spinal injury to command axons for leg flexion. The postural adjustments were studied in 3 unoperated dogs and 2 dogs with transection of the right lateral column of the spinal cord at T-9 for (1) quiet stance and (2) during right hindlimb (RH) flexion for an auditory command signal. The displacements of the center of gravity were measured with 4 force plates on which the dogs stood. For both groups of dogs, the center of gravity was concentrated in a small area (2 cm on a side). During hindlimb flexion, the unoperated dogs either slowly flexed the RH limb, shifting the center of gravity to the left, or forcefully extended the RH limb first to shift the weight across the RF-LH limb couple. The operated dogs failed to flex the RH limb but shifted the center of gravity to the left and slowly adducted the limb until it slid from the force plate. It was concluded that the lesion of the lateral column did not affect the postural adjustment.


The influence of stroke on visual illusion magnitude. In an attempt to resolve contradictory reports about the effect of right-versus left-hemisphere damage on perception of the Mueller-Lyer illusion, the present study examined judgments of stroke patients using this and several other visual illusions. The results provide some indication of abnormal perception of the Mueller-Lyer by patients with left-hemisphere damage. But the overall magnitude of illusion was normal in both groups of patients. It is possible that stroke damage did not affect the brain areas that are responsible for "gestalt" synthesis. However other recent studies using the Mueller-Lyer suggest that actual or incipient eye movements play an important role in the perception of this illusion, and under some conditions of testing, it is the activity of the left hemisphere that determines illusion magnitude.


Intracellular calcium deposition in brain following electrical stimulation. The effects of electrical stimulation of the cat cerebral cortex have been evaluated by light and electron microscopy following a wide variety of stimulation parameters (QD/ph of 10 - 300 muC/cm2/ph). Platinum or rhodium disc electrode arrays were bilaterally implanted subdurally on the parietal cortex and subjected to 36-hour stimulations (9 hrs./day for 4 days). Prominent among the degenerative changes shown by electron microscopy were dense crystalline inclusions that were identified as calcium hydroxyapatite (CHA) crystals by electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The appearance of intracellular calcification generally paralleled the onset of other degenerative changes in stimulated tissue, including gliosis, mitochondrial swelling, lipid inclusions, degenerating cells, neuronal loss, and phagocytic activity. A preferential deposition of calcium was noted in mitochondria of several cell types and in postsynaptic dendrites. The mechanism of the apparently electroresponsive calcium deposition is obscure; however, a plausible explanation is that increased cyclic AMP levels, known to occur with electrical stimulation of nervous tissue, result in enhanced calcium plasmalemmal permeability.


The neurons containing dense core vesicles in the mouse hypothalamic arcuate nucleus: distribution and influence of ovarian activity. The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) was electron microscopically studied in diestrous (D) and estrous (E) mice, and mice ovariectomized (OX) 3 weeks before. In the middle region of the ARC (mARC), the number of dense core vesicles (DCVs) appearing in a section of each neuronal perikaryon was examined, and the location of the neurons containing DCVs was mapped. About 10% of the neurons in the mARC contained many (5 or more) DVCs in the perikarya in a section. These neurons mainly localized in the ventromedial portion of the mARC, which shows that the cytoarchitecture of the mouse ARC is heterogeneous. The localization and the frequency of these neurons were not influenced by the variance of ovarian activity. A DCV was composed of an electron-dense core and a membrane halo, and was likely to be formed in the cisternae of the Golgi apparatus. The size of DCVs was estimated at 100 nm as the median diameter and was stable independent of the ovarian activity. However, the formation of DCVs was likely influenced by the ovarian activity, because DCVs in D mice were more intimately associated with the Golgi apparatus than in E or OX mice. In the neuronal perikarya of the ventromedial portion of the mARC, Nissl bodies developed in OX mice and nucleolus-like bodies developed in E mice. These results suggest that the neurons of the ventromedial portion of the mARC change their function according to the variance of ovarian activity and, therefore, are involved in the estrogen feedback mechanism.


Carbohydrate composition and taxonomy of Geotrichum, Trichosporon and allied genera. The yeast-like genera Geotrichum and Trichosporon are heterogeneous and are related with anamorphs of both ascomycetous and basidiomycetous fungi. A rearrangement can be obtained using carbohydrate composition of intact cells, studied with the aid of gas-liquid chromatography. The genus Geotrichum is restricted to ascomycetous species with a dominance of galactomannans, whereas Trichosporon is reserved for basidiomycete-like, xylose-containing species. Consequently, some new combinations are introduced in both genera. Representatives of related genera are included for comparison: e.g. Dipodascus, Hyphophichia, Cryptococcus and Filobasidium.


The nuclei of the giant traps of a mutant of Monacrosporium bembicodes (Drechsler) Subram (Dactylella brochopaga Drechsler). A mutant strain, MG-20, of the predacious hyphomycete Monacrosporium bembicodes(Drechsler) Subram (Dactylella brochopaga Drechsler) develops giant ring traps, as well as normal ones when supplied with prey. Both types are functional. Giant traps contain more nuclei per cell than normal ones, and as they age, all their nuclei break into fragments which persist in the cell. These findings are briefly discussed.


Effects of temperature and fungicides on Chrysosporium pannorum (Link) Hughes. C. pannorum was isolated in low frequencies and only in the colder months from untreated soil and leaves and from those treated with Captan, Dicloran and Thiram. The fungus was isolated throughout the year as the major species from Verdasan-treated substrates and it occurred with increased frequencies immediately after application of the fungicide. The abundance of C. pannorum on Verdasan-treated substrates was attributed to the ability of the fungus to utilise the fungicide rather than to the absence of faster growing competitor species. C. pannorum was shown to be a slow growing and moderately cellulolytic fungus with maximum rates of growth, germination and cellulose clearing at between 15 degrees and 20 degrees C. Increasing concentrations of the fungicides retarded or prevented growth and activity of the fungus. C. pannorum could grow, germinate and clear cellulose in higher concentrations of Verdasan than could other species studied. C. pannorum was more tolerant of HgCl2 than of Verdasan. The fungus could detoxify up to 3 micrograms/ml active ingredient of Verdasan (= 120 micrograms/ml of the formulated fungicide) in liquid culture.


Conidiation and carbohydrate composition in some Candida and Torulopsis species. The genus Candida Berkhout (including Torulopsis auct.) is restricted to the anamorphs of Sacchromycetales (asci-forming yeasts Species with heterobasidiomycetous relationships are either transferred to Apiotrichum when the cells are at least partly formed sympodially and when the hydrolyzates of intact cells contain xylose, or to Rhodotorula when the cells are formed basipetally (enteroblastic, phialidic) and the cells do not contain xylose.


[Use of Blasto-Kit for cytogenetic analysis]. We have considered the possibility of using commercial Blasto-Kit, with AB pool, for chromosome analysis. Comparative researches have been made between Blasto-Kit-AB and Blasto-Kit in which AB serum was replaced by FCS. Using 0.1 ml of whole blood lymphocyte response to PHA after incorporation of thymidine H3 and the mitotic rate obtained have been evaluated. The Blasto-Kit-AB gives better results if compared with Blasto-Kit-FCS either in lymphocyte response to PHA or in chromosome analysis.


Combination chemotherapy in vitro. IV. Response of human colon carcinoma cells to combinations using cis-diamminedichloroplatinum. Combination effects of cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) (DDP) paired with 12 other antineoplastic agents were investigated on a human carcinoembryonic antigen producing colon carcinoma cell line in vitro. DDP was effective in increasing the killing efficiency of many different drugs. Supraadditive effects were noted with hydroxyurea, bleomycin, cis-acid, BCNU, adriamycin and mitomycin C, and a marked synergistic effect was noted with ara-C. DDP displayed simple additive effects wit 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), Ftorafur and methotrexate, and subadditive effects in simultaneous combination with vincristine. In view of its powerful cytotoxic effects on this particular cell line and of the supraadditive effects of its combinations with nitrosoureas and mitomycin C, DDP appears as a potentially useful antineoplastic agent for combination therapeutic regimens for human colon carcinoma.


The technique and indications for photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy. I. Principles of photocoagulation. The beneficial effect of photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy is now established (2-6, 10). Whereas the capability of providing photocoagulation is widespread, the indications and actual techniques are poorly defined. In this paper, we propose to discuss the principles of photocoagulation. In a following paper the detailed techniques required for the treatment of individual lesions and of different types of retinopathy will be discussed.


Morphological studies about the efficiency of laser beams upon the structures of the angle of the anterior chamber. Facts and concepts related to the treatment of the chronic simple glaucoma. Working at a power density above optical breakdown threshold, irradiation effects upon the angle of the anterior chamber of the Macaca speciosa monkey by a Nd glass Q-switched laser, have been analysed with scanning electron microscopy. Two different damage effects can be identified: openings of Schlemm's canal and the creation of a cyclodialysis, that is opening the uveoscleral outflow routes; the latter may be a more effective one than the former. Also a third mechanism, namely a structural alteration of the trabecular meshwork, at the molecular level by laser action, has been inferred. The physical effects leading to optically induced mechanical damage are discussed. Applicability of such effects upon the morphological findings described here, is limited and to a greater part speculative. A better definition of the physical parameters, required for optimal therapeutical damage effects in the treatment of the wide angle glaucoma may be obtained by trial and error methods, which are guided by the results of electron microscopical analyses of samples obtained from in vivo and in vitro experiments.


Acquired macroaneurysms of the retinal arteries. Acquired macroaneurysms of the retinal arteries are rather frequent. Four new cases are reported. Aetiology, clinical features, fluorescein angiographic aspects, complications, prognosis, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis and treatment by photocoagulation are discussed.


Minimal spot size on the retina formed by the optical system of the eye. A knowledge of the quality of the ocular optical system is of primary importance in light- and laser-photocoagulation of the fundus. A study was therefore undertaken to determine the minimal spot size of a Helium-Neon laser focused on the retina of rabbits: freshly enucleated eyes were carefully mounted in a specially designed eye holder. A small hole was then trepanized through the sclera and neural retina in the macular region. A minimal spot was produced on the retina and the spot size was measured by scanning the intensity distribution of an enlarged image. It was shown that a diffraction limited spot size can be obtained under certain circumstances. The light scattering out of the focus, however, is about fify percent.


Bulbospinal projections to the intermediolateral cell column: a neuroanatomical study. The location of those neurones in the brain stem that project to the intermediolateral column (ILC) from which preganglionic sympathetic neurones have their origin was studied by the method of retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In cats 30--50 nl of a 30% HRP solution was injected into the region of the ILC at T3 or L1 on one side. After a survival period of 72 h the lower brain stem from C1 to the inferior colliculi was sectioned and prepared for histological study under brightfield illumination. Neurones stained with exogenous HRP were found in three regions: (a) in the ipsilateral, dorsomedial part of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) (43% of all labeled neurones), in the cranial part of the NTS, and also on the contralateral side (7%); (b) in the ventrolateral reticular formation beginning at the level of the obex up to 8 mm cranial to the obex (25% ipsilateral, 3% contralateral); and (c) in the ventral part of the raphe nuclei (postpyramidal and inferior central nucleus) from 2 to 9 mm cranial to the obex (22%).


Monosodium glutamate-induced changes of aggression and open-field activity in rats. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rat pups received injections of 2 mg/g, 4 mg/g monosodium glutamate (MSG) or physiological saline (mean volume) subcutaneous daily for the first 10 days of life. At 70 and 90 days, rats were tested for open-field and aggressive responding, respectively. Body weights were recorded throughout development. When compared to the control group, results indicated: (1) significantly lowered body weights for both MSG-injected groups with the 4 mg/g group showing the greatest weight suppression, (2) a significant decrease in open-field activity for the 2 mg/g MSG group, with the 4 mg/g MSG group not quite reaching a statistically significant decreases, (3) significant decreases in aggressive responding of both MSG groups. The decrease in open-field activity supports the type of MSG-induced behavioral suppression previously reported for rodents, while an MSG-induced decrease in aggression has not been previously documented.


[A case of relapsing cutaneous larva migrans transmitted by a cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)]. A case of relapsing "creeping eruption" connected with parasites of the cheetah is reported in the man. The parasitological examination, carried out in two cheetahs liable of this syndrome, has shown two different helmintic species: Ancylostoma caninum and Ancylostoma tubaeforme.


Hormonal influences on the secretion of the thymus. The bibliography concerning the interaction of the thymus with other endocrines is summarized. The thymus, the lymph nodes and the spleen of Sprague-Dawley rats were extracted with the method of Bezssonoff and Comsa and the extracts fractionated with the method of Bernardi and Comsa. The animals were (1) normal, (2) adrenalectomized, (3) adrenalectomized and substituted with one or several corticosteroids, (4) adrenalectomized and thymectomized, (5) thyroidectomized, (6) thyroidectomized and substituted with thyroxine, (7 and 8) castrated (males or females), (9 and 10) castrates substituted with sexual hormones, (11) castrated and adrenalectomized, (12) castrated and thyroidectomized, (13) castrated, adrenalectomized and thyroidectomized, (14) hypophysectomized, and (15) hypophysectomized and substituted with one hypophyseal hormone. In the Bernardi-Comsa preparations hormone was determined by UV-spectrophotometry. Adrenalectomy resulted in a significant decrease of the hormone content of the thymus (which was still more attenuated by cortisol) and its increase in the lymph nodes and the spleen. Corticosterone and desoxycorticosterone increased the hormone content in all three tissues, whilst aldosterone increased it in the thymus and decreased it in the lymph nodes and the spleen. Thyroidectomy resulted in a significant decrease of the hormone in the thymus and its quasi-disappearance from the lymph nodes and the spleen. This was prevented by thyroxine therapy. Castration resulted in an increase of the hormone content in all three tissues. This was prevented by sexual hormone therapy. Hypophysectomy resulted in decrease of the hormone content in all three tissues. This was prevented by injections with growth hormone, corticotropin and thyrotrophin. These results were compared with those of histological examinations of thymus, lymph nodes and spleen in the corresponding experimental groups. The consistency was found satisfactory.


Levamisole in cancer treatment: modifications in time of cellular immunity. (Preliminary report). Some preliminary observations are reported on a restricted case-list of patients with neoplastic disease in remission, after suitable treatment (surgical and/or radiant and/or antiblastic), treated with levamisole. The results obtained, even if preliminary, stress the close relationship between the immunorestorative effect and the length of the administration. Besides, the restoration of the secondary delayed immunity turned out promptly, in comparison with the primary delayed immunity. Very scanty the side effects observed.


[Development and differentiation of the rat epididymis. I: ultrastructural aspects of the peritubular zone]. We investigated the ultrastructural aspects of the peritubular cells of epididymis and their development from birth to adult age. At birth the peritubular zone consisted of polygonal cells which did not differ from other interstitial cells. Cytoplasmic filaments were visible in the cells of the inner layer at day 6. From day 22 the peritubular cells reached the adult aspect. The peritubular cells in the rat epididymis had aspects similar to those of peritubular smooth muscle cells of rat testis, with a more precocious appearance of cytoplasmic filaments. This finding concurs with the observed precocious contractility of epididymis.


[Development and differentiation of the rat epididymis. II: histochemical aspects of the peritubular zone]. Development of the contractile peritubular structures of rat testis, from birth to full maturation, was investigated by histochemical evaluation of alkaline phosphatase activity (A.P.A.) at 0, 16, 22 e 35 days of age. A.P.A. appeared at 6 days, age of appearance also of the cytoplasmic microfilaments of peritubular cells. The correlation between cytoplasmic microfilaments and A.P.A. was confirmed by the pattern of A.P.A. positivity at 6 degree day, when the inner peritubular cells layer, in which the microfilaments are present, are more positive than the outer layer in which the microfilaments are not yet present. These findings give further support to the belief that the cytoplasmic microfilaments of peritubular cells are contractile structures.


[Average normal temperature of the chicken in the morning and after 1-2 days of fasting]. On the morning the average temperature of the growing chicken. It is found at 41.8 degrees C +/- 0.18 degrees. After one day without having eaten, the bodily temperature diminishes to 40.41 degrees +/- 0.97 degrees (-1.39 degrees). After two days without having eaten the temperature diminishes to 39.68 degrees C +/- 0.89 degrees (-2.12 degrees). After the first day of re-feeding the average temperature is 41.28 degrees C +/- 0.52 degrees C. During the period of no feeding the reduction in bodily temperature depends on the metabolic material availability. We can assume that the thermoregulator mechanisms are not modified by non-feeding and that the reduction in temperature is caused by the non efficiency of their normal efferents.


Fine structure of post-mortal tissues transformations. Preliminary observations. The Authors have studied the ultrastructure of human skin in a particular anomalous form of post-mortal transformation: the so called corification. Some structures (cell membranes, desmosomes, mitochondria, nuclear envelopes) are well preserved, while other structures (such as endoplasmic reticulum) are upset. These observations suggested that in the corification endogenous and exogenous enzymatic actions are extremely inhibited.


[Further observations by electron microscope of striated muscle in progressive Duchenne muscular dystrophy]. Gastrocnemius muscle fragments of children affected by clinically diagnosed progressive muscular dystrophy of Duchenne have been studied. At the light microscope, in the semi-thin sections, the more evident changes are represented by a wide diameter range of the fibers and fatty infiltration. Some fibers show numerous nuclei in their central part, a sarcoplasmic degeneration of vacuolar type and an irregular and tortuous course of the myofibrils. Moreover, the ultrastructural findings have shown characteristic changes in myofilaments and Z bands represented by: streaming of the Z bands, collection of the triads and concentric laminated bodies. These observations have pointed out a certain gradualness of the alterations, starting from focal changes of Z band to the complete disarrangement of myofilaments.


The long-term results of the treatment with transtympanic ventilation tubes in children with chronic secretory otitis media. In the present report we discuss the short-term and long-term results of treatment with transtympanic ventilation tubes in 140 children with chronic secretory otitis media. Important findings are: after 6 months only 40% and after 12 months only 5% of the inserted grommets are still draining. A good clinical result is obtained in 72% after 6 months, and in 52% after 12 months. With a long follow-up, up to 10 years, 71% of the children suffering from chronic secretory otitis media and treated with grommets, can be considered as cured, with or without a small complication. The poorest results are obtained after a follow-up of 2-3 years. Children under 7 years have a better prognosis than older children. There is also a better prognosis in children with serous effusions than in those with a glue ear. We noticed very few complications in our treatment with grommets: no sensorineural hearing loss and a persisting perforation in 2% of the treated ears.


Epidemiology and control of bovine babesiosis in South Africa. Babesiosis is the cause of serious economic losses in South Africa and involves most areas with an annual rainfall of more than 400 mm. Both Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis are present and both are considered to be important. The vectors, distribution and factors influencing enzootic stability of both species are discussed. Except in some areas only marginally suitable for ticks, and where tick control alone may be adequate, control by immunisation is recommended. Short term prevention can be achieved by chemoprophylaxis.


[Transfusion of platelets loaded with periwinkle alkaloids as a treatment for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (author's transl)]. In a 70 year-old woman with a chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to all the therapeutic used, the absence of antiplatelet antibodies and the action of patient mononuclear cells on normal platelet 14C serotonin release was observed. The injection of vincristine loaded platelets was followed by a remission and a normalisation of the cellular immunological tests.


[Local weather-condition and behaviour of anthropogenous aerosols : two examples (author's transl)]. It is today accepted that the developing and propagating of epidemic diseases of the airways are sometimes related to some weather conditions and that, in this context, the complex aerosols such as fogs and smogs can play an important part in carrying viruses and bacteria. This communication intends to demonstrate two examples of how weather conditions can and must help to interprete the observations and measurements done on particles of atmospheric aerosols which are more or less derived from human activity. One of the examples is related to the study of variations of numerical concentrations of particles in an atmosphere under-saturated with respect to water. The other example is related to the development and extension of a phenomenon favouring the fog formation from a localized industrial source.


[About the frequency and variety of yeasts found in pathologic materials (author's transl)]. The AA. propose a comprehensive view of the yeasts found out in pathologic materials in the Institute of Microbiology of the Udine General Hospital during the first six mounts of the year 1978. They compare their achieved results with the data collected in other italian and foreign areas by other students, pointing out the prevalence of Candida albicans over other species of yeasts, in the people gravitating on the Hospital of Udine. They formulate at least the hypothesis that some species of yeasts able to live in human organism are not evenly distributed in every country and that such an irregular distribution mai explain and justify that percentage of not better identifiable yeast-like fungi that every A. must include in his statistics.


[Screening with latex IgM reagent on umbilical cord blood for demonstration of intrauterine infections]. The AA. have found IgM in cord sera of 903 newborns. In 13 (1.44%) there was an increase of IgM and the control made on neonatal serum within the first 5 days from birth has shown a positive result only in 1 case (7.69% of positives). The AA. present, in the conclusions, some considerations that justify the results of their work.


DNA sequence similarity, cell wall mannans and physiological characteristics in some strains of Candida utilis, Hansenula jadinii and Hansenula petersonii. The physiological characteristics, proton magnetic resonance spectra of cell wall mannans, DNA base composition and DNA sequence similarity of some strains of Candida utilis, Hansenula jadinii and Hansenula petersonii were examined. It was found that C. utilis was not distinguishable from H. jadinii by any of these criteria. These findings show the close genetic relationship between C. utilis and its perfect form H. jadinii. In contrast, H. petersonii was found to differ from C. utilis and H. jadinii on account of insignificant DNA reassociation as well as a number of other properties.


[Eaux-aux-jambes in Equidae. Apropos of the 1st Tunisian cases]. The authors describe the first Tunisian cases of hyperplasic Dermatosis of horses' limbs. They present both clinical and histopathologic aspects of this disease and try, consider etiopathogenic hypothesis.


Diurnal rhythms in airway obstruction.

Diurnal rhythms in airway obstruction. Diurnal patterns of variation in peak expiratory flow rate were studied in patients with all types of airway obstruction. Most regular patterns fall into one of two types: morning dip (M) with the lowest reading in the morning and (P) or double dip with the lowest readings morning and evening. Regular patterns were most frequently seen in asthmatics, but occurred also in bronchitis, particularly those with a history of wheeze. Treatment with bronchodilators reduces the prevalence of all regular patterns but does not abolish them. M pattern is characteristic of asthma but P pattern is the most frequent regular pattern seen in bronchitis. Amplitude of variation is greater in asthmatics than in simple bronchitis. It is reduced by about 20% with bronchodilators. Random observation of magnitude of response of peak flow rate to a bronchodilators is not a good indicator of amplitude of variation over the day. Because of the occurrence of a peak pattern in many patients the magnitude of diurnal variation may be underestimated by twice-daily peak flow rate readings. Treatment with corticosteroids does not appear strongly to influence either characteristic patterns or amplitude of variation.


Researches on the development of Xenopus laevis larvae fed on Tubifex tubifex. I. Presence of liposoluble vitamins in the lipid extract from Tubifex worms. Vitamin E acetate (alpha-tocopheryl acetate) and related tocopherols, vitamin A acetate (dehydroretinyl acetate), vitamin A alcohol (retinol), and cholesterol were identified by thin-layer chromatography in the lipid extract from Tubifex tubifex worms. Compounds (perhaps vitamin D precursors, or seroidal substances) absorbing short wave UV light and/or reacting with antimony trichloride were also present but not identified. The results are discussed in relation to the growth, metamorphosis and possible appearance of malformations in Xenopus laevis specimens reared on Tubifex alone or on diets integrated with Tubifex. The hypothesis of the presence of tossic substances in Tubifex as a cause of malformations in Xenopus is also discussed.


[Critical test of the activity of tetramisole phosphate on gastrointestinal helminths of sheep]. The phosphate sale of tetramizol assayed in naturally infested sheep by subcutaneous infection at the dosis of 8,66 mg/kg revealed very high efficiency against strongylid gastro-intestinal nematodes; its efficiency was comparable that found by several authors for the hydrochloride and cyclamate salts of the same drug, also by subcutaneious injection, at the dosis of 10 mg/kg. In what concerns helminths belonging to the genera Strongyloides and Capillaria our results were not conclusive enough.


[Initial observations in Upper-Volta on 41 serotypes of Salmonella isolated at Muraz Center]. Among 186 Salmonella strains isolated at the Muraz Center from 1966 to 1976, representing 45 serotypes, the authors describe 41 serotypes identified for the first time in Upper-Volta, 3 of which constituting new serotypes: S. bobo, S. kua, S. farakan. A few remarks show the significance of Salmonella circulation in a west-africa area where the incidence of bacterial enteric diseases is a constant problem of public health.


Clustering of twin births in space and time. Out of a total of 1025 twin births occurring in 11 South Moravian districts from 1972 to 1976, 638 occurred in the same time and space interval (P = 0.00037). The observed clustering suggests the existence of environmental factors influencing twinning rates.


Clinical management of twin pregnancies. Early diagnosis and subsequent management of twin pregnancy resulted in a considerable reduction of preterm deliveries (26% vs 61% for late diagnoses).


[Effect of cytochalasin B on the segmentation divisions of Artemia salina ova]. In the cleaving egg of Artemia salina, cytochalasin B not only inhibits cytodieresis, but interferes also with karyokinesis, while the division of the cell centres seems to progress normally.


The Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire and spasmodic/congestive dysmenorrhea: measurement of an invalid construct. Chesney and Tasto's (1975a) Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) was developed on the basis of Dalton's theory of spasmodic and congestive dysmenorrhea, which states that the two types are caused by opposite hormonal imbalances and therefore should not be found in the same woman. Evidence is offered which suggests that the theory is incorrect. A multiple-group factor analysis failed to adequately support the two-component model. Subsequently, a factor analysis of 275 MSQs revealed seven factors rather than the two predicted by the theory. In addition, the incidence of both high premenstrual and menstrual symptoms in the same women was demonstrated. Finally, symptoms reported by women using oral contraceptives differed little from those reported by women not using oral contraceptives. It is concluded that scoring for the MSQ should be modified to include two subscales for premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, and that the labels "spasmodic" and "congestive" be discontinued until some evidence is found for their support.


Menstrual symptoms: a social cognition analysis. Research on menstrual-related cyclicity often reflects assumptions concerning the generality, severity, and physiological basis of symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle. According to arguments presented in recent articles, these assumptions are not fully justified by the empirical data. In addition, there is evidence that symptom associations may be viewed a reflecting, in part, a set of beliefs. In the present article evidence is reviewed which suggests that symptom associations may originate and be maintained by means of biases in the processing of information about cyclicity. Specifically, the origins of biased beliefs may arise from the connotative meaning of, the salience of, and selectivity in processing the information forming the association. In addition, mechanisms which have been tribute to the maintenance of biased perceptions, once associations have been formed, include distortion, autonomy, and category accessibility of the evidence.


Anxiety and menstrual bleeding in Nigerian females. This paper reports on a study which examined the relationship between menstrual bleeding and anxiety as a multidimensional concept. Anxiety was measured using a standardized psychological instrument, the STAI. It was hypothesized that (1) state anxiety was raised during menstruation and (2) the amount of increase in state anxiety during menstruation depended on the level of trait anxiety in a given female. These hypotheses were confirmed. It was also found that the experimental group scored higher than the control group on both positive and negative items, which may be an indication that the former exaggerated their symptoms.


Olfactory testing: rules for odor identification. Neurology manuals generally recommend odor identification for simple assessment of olfaction. Nevertheless, even patients with normal olfaction (normosmics) often perform only poorly. Three experiments demonstrate that such an ambiguous outcome will disappear if the test incorporates highly familiar substances and, more important, a procedure to circumvent the olfactory-verbal gap that frequently separates an odor from its name. One multiple-choice procedure, for instance, led to 100% accuracy among normosmics. Another led to 99% accuracy among normosmics and 0% accuracy among anosmics. The investigation also reveals that scratch-and-sniff labels could possibly replace customary odorants in the clinical test.


Measurement of the hydrostatic pressures of the cochlear compartments. A micropressure transducer (sensitive 0.1 cm H2O) utilizing a manual servo nulling system and a micropipette (tip diameter 12-20 micron) was designed in order to measure endolymphatic and perilymphatic hydrostatic pressures in the inner ear of the guinea pig. Perilymphatic pressures were measured through the round window membrane in animals in which the ossicular structures had been removed and in those in which the middle ear structures were intact. Endolymphatic pressures were measured after removal of the middle ear structures. There was a significant (p less than 0.001) difference between perilymphatic pressures in the presence (4.7 +/- 0.36 cm H2O) and absence (2.43 +/- 0.22 cm H2O) of the middle ear structures. The endolymphatic pressure was 0.00 cm H2O when measured through the basilar membrane after disruption of the scala tympani, and was 3.34 +/- 0.57 when monitored through the spiral ligament and stria vascularis. In order to verify the accuracy of these measurements, we monitored pressures in animals whose perilymphatic pressures were artificially maintained by an external source. Recoveries were always 95-100% of the artificially applied pressure. The injection of purified cholera toxin into the scala media through the basilar membrane resulted in a significant (p less than 0.001) increase in endolymphatic pressure.


Cobalt-induced epilepsy: an ultrastructural study. Metallic cobalt and aluminum rods were implanted into the cerebral cortices of rats. Almost all the animals with cobalt implantation were found to be epileptic 30 days after the operation. Tissue samples from the cerebral cortices were sampled for electron microscopy. The most significant changes in the cobalt-implanted animals were the disintegration of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in many cortical neurons and the accumulation of neurofilaments within the perikaryon. Such filamentous accumulation was usually found near the perinuclear position, at the periphery of the neurons, and in areas where there was a paucity of regular rough endoplasmic reticulum. Large aggregates of SER-like tubulovesicular structures were also found within many neuronal processes. Some of these neuronal processes could be identified to be postsynaptic dendritic terminals. Large nuclear pseudo-inclusions consisting of cytoplasmic materials were also found in some cortical neurons. These ultrastructural changes could also be occasionally observed in the opposite (cobalt-free) hemisphere of the brain (mirror image) in the cobalt-implanted animals. However, the brains of the aluminum-implanted or blank-control animals were free from any of these changes.


Monitoring cerebral blood flow during intracranial operations: an intravenous injection method. A method of measuring cerebral blood flow during neurosurgery is described. It is an adaptation of the standard 133Xe intravenous injection method, with computation restricted to data collected over the first 3 min. In addition to a theoretical presentation of the method and an analysis of the effect of residual 133Xe activity when sequential runs are performed in close approximation, the technique is validated experimentally by comparison with intracarotid 133Xe injection in baboons.


Intraluminal diameters of middle cerebral branches for microanastomoses. Intraluminal diameter measurements of the branches of the middle cerebral artery were taken from 50 adult human cerebral hemispheres of a routine autopsy service. The measurements were confined to the cortical branches found on the surface of the brain located over the lateral hemisphere, with the center at the transverse gyrus of Heschl and extending over the circular portion of the brain, with a diameter of approximation 6 cm. It was hoped that these measurements would assist in the appropriate choice of artery for microanastomosis in the superficial temporal artery bypass procedure, now being done for enhancement of cortical perfusion.


Morphine acute effects on spontaneous multiunit activity recorded simultaneously from medial thalamus and caudate nucleus in freely behaving rats. Treatment with varying doses of morphine and its antagonist naloxone produced different response patterns in "spontaneous" multiunit discharges recorded from the medial thalamus and caudate nucleus of freely behaving rats previously implanted, stereotaxically, with permanent semimicro-electrodes. The changes in electrical discharges induced by incremental doses of morphine exhibited dose-related patterns, and could be reversed by naloxone. This procedure, testing several incremental doses of a drug, provides a tool with which to identify and classify the specific response patterns induced by morphine. The two structures examined in the present study exhibited four response patterns to the treatments but only one pattern of response was similar in the two nuclei. The medial thalamic units are more sensitive to morphine than those recorded from the caudate nucleus. The present finding, i.e., acute effects of morphine, provides basic information with which to examine the physiological properties underlying the chronic effects of morphine.


Biomathematical models of schizophrenia. This paper summarizes the work of developing and analyzing a mathematical model of schizophrenia. First the psychological and physiological studies of patients with periodic catatonia made by R. R. Gjessing are briefly described. Then a mathematical model, which is based on Gjessing's work and consists of a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, is derived. Gjessing showed that there was a periodic change in the basal metabolic rate associated with a periodic change in the symptoms of catatonia. This suggests a study of the thyroid control system, and since the thyroid control system is a negative feedback system, previous engineering studies are followed and a system of ordinary differential equations is used as a model. The first such model was due to Danziger and Elmergreen, and their model and improvements of their model are described. Then the models are analyzed qualitatively and the mathematical results are interpreted medically. Solutions of the system of differential equations corresponding to a stable set of symptoms in the schizophrenic patients, solutions corresponding to periodic patterns of symptoms (periodic catatonia), and solutions corresponding to random or unpredictable patterns of symptoms are obtained. The model suggests that since certain parameters are varied, various types of solutions and hence various patterns of symptoms are obtained. There are a number of unresolved questions in this study, and these problems are discussed in detail as they arise.


[Experimental induced vasculopathy and treated with 3GS. Hematochemical and ultrastructural aspects]. The Authors have studied the pharmacologic effect of glucuronil-glucose-amino-glycan sulphate on experimental vasculopathy induced by etherologue serum and by dislipidemic diet. After discussion of data they conclude the 3GS is of any helpful in third phase of the process in etherologue serum induced vasculopathy. In the case of diet induced vasculopathy is clearly demonstrated the protective effect of this drug upon the endothelial structure.


Diurnal circadian rhythms of renal function and electrolyte excretion in heart failure. Diurnal cycles of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), and of excretion rates of sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and phosphate were measured in a 22 year old man with moderately severe heart failure under standardized conditions. Cycles of GFR, ERPF and excretion of potassium, chloride, and phosphate were indistinguishable from those of normals. The phases of the sodium and probably the magnesium excretory cycles were reversed from normal. The significance of some of the observations is discussed.


Object Investigation by the oestrous rat and guinea-pig: the oestrous cycle and the effects of oestrogen and progesterone. The time spent investigation small objects in an arena was found to vary systematically with the oestrous cycle of rats and guinea-pigs. Both the total time spent and the mean time per object were greater for oestrous animals, which show more long bouts of investigation per test than do dioestrous animals. The changes in investigation time were replicated by administering oestradiol benzoate followed after 40 h by progesterone, to ovariectomized rats, suggesting an endocrine basis. Most bouts of investigation were terminated by a move straight to another object, suggesting that it had been chosen before the move was made.


Distractibility changes during the oestrous cycle of the rat. Experiments described which were designed to test the hypothesis that the ease with which rats will shift attention between stimuli varies with the oestrous cycle. It was predicted from the results of earlier work that at oestrus, animals will shift attention less readily than at dioestrus, provided that attention is already focussed on a specific stimulus. Data from two-stimulus tests, and runway tests confirmed this prediction. It is suggested that the nature of the underlying changes may be similar to those induced in young chicks by exogenous testosterone, and may involve changes in hippocampal function.


The attractiveness of Harderian gland smears to sexually naive and experienced male golden hamsters. The Harderian gland of the golden hamster shows pronounced sexual dimorphism in histology and products. Sexually experienced or inexperienced males were attracted to fresh smears of female and male Harderian gland as opposed to a control. Female smears were investigated significantly more than male smears. Control smears of quadriceps muscle proved unattractive. Neither category of male preferred oestrus to mid-cycle Harderian smears, and attractiveness did not correlate with protoporphyrin content. Males were unattracted to protoporphyrin solution. Cephalic olfactory cues, such as Harderian secretions, may be of importance in tunnel-dwelling rodents.


Male-female interaction throughout the oestrous cycle of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Interactions between male and female hamsters over the oestrous cycle were measured in terms of proximity. Independent variations in approaching and leaving by the female were found over the four-day period. Changes in female behaviour, which could be related to known changes in her hormonal state, resulted in changes in the male-female interaction not only at oestrous but also within the three dioestrous days of the cycle. These changes were in the amount of time the animals spent together or apart; this in turn was affected by which sex initiated the approaches and leaves. During oestrus proximity measures correlated well with latency to first lordosis which is a sensitive measure of degree of receptivity. Proximity measures provide a detailed description of the male-female interaction and should prove useful in studying the effects of experimental alteration of previous experience and hormonal state.


Uveal effusion following pan-retinal photocoagulation. Uveal effusion combined with nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment is presented as a complication of pan-retinal photocoagulation in diabetic patients. This complication is believed to be a direct effect of photocoagulation on the choroidal vasculature. The mechanism is postulated to be secondary to photocoagulation-induced choroiditis, choroidal vascular occlusion, or a combination of the two. Corticosteroid therapy is recommended as being effective in resolving the choroidal effusion.


Central retinal vein occlusion in a patient with familial antithrombin III deficiency: case report. A 60-year old man with familial antithrombin III deficiency, a primary cause of hypercoagulation, developed central retinal vein occlusion. Familial antithrombin III deficiency is inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of thromboembolism. The occurrence of central retinal vein occlusion in a person with familial deficiency of antithrombin III suggests the possibility of a casual relationship.


The haematology of experimentally-induced B divergens and E phagocytophila infections in splenectomised calves. An examination was made of the haematology of spenectomised calves experimentally infected with Babesia divergens and Ehrlichia phagocytophila, inoculated separately or simultaneously. Animals infected with both pathogens had less marked changes in their haematology than those inoculated with either pathogen separately. This appeared to result from the early elimination of the more pathogenic Babesia as Ehrlichia spread through the granulocytes. The apparent suppression of Babesia by Ehrlichia would appear to merit further investigation.


Electroretinography and diagnosis of the Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome in childhood. The cases of two children affected from LMBB syndrome are reported. The first child was six years old, suffering from obesity and mild mental retardation; the other was two years old, suffering from hexadactyly and obesity. In both children the suspected diagnosis of LMBB syndrome was verified by the electroetinographic evidence of a tapetoretinal degeneration although the fundi were atypical. A third child, the younger brother of the second case, presented an atypical pigmentation of the retina and the electroretinographic changes of a tapeto-retinal degeneration. Since tapeto-retinal degeneration, which is the most common of the main signs of the syndrome, is not always recognized by ophthalmoscopy in early childhood, the clinical value of electroretinography in making an early diagnosis is emphasized.


Certain environmental factors affecting rhizobia and symbiotic systems. The interrelation between rhizobia and certain fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, nematodes, and seed-coat diffusates of Phaseolus vulgaris were investigated. The effect of pesticides, i.e. fungicides, herbicides, and nematocides on growth of rhizobia, and the symbiotic systems between rhizobia and their respective host is reported. Degradation of certain herbicides and insecticides is shown. The movement of rhizobia in soil as affected by water tension, tolerance of salts, and soil temperatures are discussed. Environmental factors may affect the successful establishment of an effective symbiosis between rhizobia and their hosts at any or all the three stages. They may 1) affect occurrence, growth, and survival of root nodule bacteria, 2) modify nodule formation, or 3) affect the function of the formed nodules (VINCENT 1962). The environmental aspect considered here include the antagonistic factors against rhizobia, the pesticides, and some ecological aspects of rhizobia in soil, e.g., the movement and salts and heat tolerance. These aspects were investigated by Egyptian workers over the period 1948-1972. Comprehensive reviews on the effect of environmental factors on rhizobia were reported by VINCENT (1962) and NUTMAN (1972).


Effect of dusts emitted by copper smelters on Erwinia carotovara. The effect of the dust emitted by copper smelters on Erwinia carotovora was examined. The dust contains considerable amounts of heavy metals which inhibited the growth and enzymatic activity of the bacterial cultures. The inhibition of dehydrogenase and protease activity was greater than that of the growth rate. The phenolase production and virulence of strain was also inhibited, depending on the doses of dust. Calcium carbonate counteracted the toxic effect of dust, restoring enzymatic activity and virulence of bacteria.


Studies of the mycoparasitism in rhizosphere of emerging sugar-beet. Pythium oligandrum Drechsler was found as a very weak pathogen of emerging sugar-beet by means of the inoculation of the sterilized soil. The hyperparasitic ability of Pythium oligandrum Drechsler to relative species, viz. Pythium ultimum Trow and Pythium debaryanum (Hesse) were proved in rhizosphere of emerging sugar-beet. The rhizosphere soil inoculation by P. ultimum resulted in the sugar-beet emergence about 3% while the sugar-beet emergence achieved 110% if P. ultimum and P. oligandrum were inoculated simultaneously. The sugar-beet emergence due to the dual inoculation of rhizosphere soil by P. ultimum and P. debaryanum was about 3%, whereas due to P. ultimum, P. debaryanum, and P. oligandrum 77%.


Bile acids. LIX. Purification of 5 alpha-anhydrocyprinol by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. 26,27-Oxido-5 alpha-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-triol can be obtained in a homogeneous state in gram quantities by passing it through one PrepPak-500/Silica cartridge mounted in a Waters Assoc. preparative liquid chromatograph. The elution solvent was methanol-chloroform (1:14). The isolated material was analyzed for purity by several chromatographic means and by elemental analysis, and was finally characterized by the usual spectroscopic means. Gas-liquid chromatography of its trimethylsilyl ether indicated the formation of a tetrakis-trimethylsilyl-26-chloro derivative, in addition to the expected tris-trimethylsilylated substance. The structure of the former compound is deduced from the fragmentation and isotope abundance in its mass spectrum and from chemical principles.


Syntheses of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-hydroxymethyl-N4-alkylcytosine. Starting from uridine, 1-beta-D-arabinofluranosyl-5-hydroxymethyl-N4-alkylcytosines were prepared via 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil. During the course of this synthetic work, an interesting observation has been made that 5-acetoxy group of 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-acetoxymethyluracil and its derivatives was easily displaced at room temperature with alkylamine in methanol, but not in chloroform, to give the corresponding 5-alkylaminomethyl derivatives.


Proton transfer kinetics in the lowest excited state of 1,N6-ethenoadenosine as revealed by fluorescence lifetime measurements. Fluorescence lifetimes have been examined of 1, N6-ethenoadenosine (epsilon Ado), 1-methyl-ethenoadenosine (m1 epsilon Ado+), 9-methyl-ethenoadenosine (m9 epsilon Ado+), N1-deazaethenoadenosine (N1-deaza-epsilon Ado, and 9-methyl-N1-deazaethenoadenosine (m9N1-deaza epsilon Ado) at various pH's in the 7.5 approximately 1.5 region and at 20 degrees C. From an analysis we have reached the following conclusions. (1) The observed fluorescence of epsilon Ado is caused by the unprotonated, neutral, excited species epsilon Ado not not only at pH 7 but also at pH 2. (2) pKa of the excited epsilon Ado is lower than that of the ground state epsilon Ado. (3) The rate constant of protonation in the excited state is about 10(10) sec-1 M-1.


Effects of operation on left atrial size and the occurence of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. The relation between left atrial size and atrial fibrillation was examined in 37 patients who had left ventriculomyotomy and myectomy at the National Heart and Lung Institute. Atrial fibrillation was present in 11 of 27 (41%) patients with an echocardiographically measured left atrial dimension greater than 45 mm. No patient with a left atrial dimension less than 45 mm had atrial fibrillation pre or postoperatively. Eleven of 13 patients less than 40 years of age with an abnormal preoperative left atrial dimension had a 10% or greater reduction in left atrial dimension postoperatively. A group of 21 patients 40 years of age or older had an abnormal left atrial dimension preoperatively, and no significant change postoperatively. These results indicate that left ventriculomyotomy and myectomy can produce a significant decrease in left atrial size in younger patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. It is hoped that the decrease in atrial size may reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation in these patients.


Anterior sacral meningocele. A presentation of three cases. Anterior sacral meningoceles are congenital lesions that consist of a spinal fluid-filled sac in the pelvis communicating by a small neck with the spinal subarachnoid space through a defect in the sacrum. The three patients with this disorder presented here had characteristic symptoms snd physical findings: chronic constipation, a pelvic mass, and almost unmistakable roentgenographic  changes, but diagnosis was delayed from 11 months to 21 years in all three. After prolonged and complicated treatment, the primary lesions have been surgically eradicated and function is generally satisfactory.


Chronic active hepatitis in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers. The need for liver biopsy. Four cases of chronic active hepatitis were found in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive blood donors. Despite minimal symptoms, the full histologic spectrum of chronic hepatitis was seen. Because clinically occult liver disease can be histologically severe, liver biopsy is indicated when liver enzyme levels are persistently abnormal in long-term HBsAg carriers.


Lactase deficiency: a common genetic trait of the American Indian. Intestinal lactase activity was assessed indirectly in 156 American Indians by measuring breath hydrogen after an oral lactose load. Lactase deficiency was present in 66% of subjects and correlated highly with the percentage of Indian blood. Lactase deficiency was present by the age of 5 years and was unrelated to sex. Most lactase-deficient subjects (81%), but only a minority (23%) of lactase-sufficient subjects, developed symptoms after the oral lactose load, and among lactase-deficient subjects, symptoms occurred more frequently in adults than in children (P = 0.05). Indeed, by history, 53% of lactase-deficient adults, but only 10% of lactase-deficient children under 18 years of age, were aware of milk intolerance. Despite these differences, milk consumption was only slightly less (19 g) in the lactase-deficient subjects than in those with normal lactase activity (25 g) (P less than 0.05). The results indicate that lactase deficiency is a common autosomal genetic trait in the American Indian that becomes manifest in early childhood. Tolerance to dietary lactose appears to decline in the American Indian as he reaches adulthood, but in this population the decline in tolerance had only minor influence on lactose intake.


Evaluation of sodium L-thyroxine (T4) requirement in replacement therapy of hypothyroidism. Sodium-L-thyroxine (T4) was utilized in the treatment of 15 pediatric patients with hypothyroidism. Adequacy of replacement therapy was confirmed by clinical evaluation in conjunction with determination of serum thyroxine, tri-odothyronine, and thyrotropin concentrations. Daily dose of thyroxine capable of including clinical and biochemical euthyroidism ranged from 2.5 to 5 mug/kg of body weight with a mean of 3.5 +/- 0.3 mug in the 4- to 17-year-old age group. Two infants with congenital hypothyroidism diagnosese observations imply that physiologic requirements of thyroxine are distinctly lower than previously recommended dosages. Further studies to establish more precise therapeutic guidelines are needed.


LaVeen continuous peritoneal-jugular shunt. Improvement of renal function in ascitic patients. 30 consecutive patients with cirrhosis of the liver complicated by refractory ascites, hepatorenal syndrome, or both, received a LeVeen peritoneal-venous shunt. After surgery, these patients demonstrated a decreased abdominal girth (108 vs 93 cm, P less than .001), decreased body weight (80 vs 70 kg, P less than .001), and increased urinary flow (607 vs 4,254 ml, P less than .001). All patients had previously failed to show substantial benefit with 7 to 124 days of medical care. The mean BUN value was significantly decreased, from 39 to 23 mg/100 ml (P less than .005). Adosterone retention was reduced from a mean value of 32 to 12.8 ng/100 ml. The LeVeen continuous peritoneal-venous shunt is an important innovation that completely relieves refractory ascites in cirrhotic patients and reverses the pathophysiology of the hepatorenal syndrome.


Prehospital coronary care. Proposal for a uniform reporting system. Prehospital coronary care is becoming a common feature of community emergency medical systems. To date, results have been reported in a variety of formats, making meaningful comparison and aggregate analysis impossible. A flexible patient encounter form and data analysis scheme are proposed for universal adoption in future published accounts.


Preventing physician suicide. The role of family, colleagues, and organized medicine. Psychological barriers in the minds of the failing physician, his family, and colleagues may thwart prevention of physician-suicide. The failing physician may be shunned by colleagues for his disturbed behavior. He denies illness, resorts to self-medication, and avoids treatment. Recognition and rational handling of this presuicidal state may be hindered by the need of the doctor, family, and colleagues to preserve a fantasy of the doctor's omnipotence. Treatment also may be impeded by the failing physician's reluctance to form a therapeutic relationship with the treating psychiatrist. The psychiatrist must help his doctor-patient to determine if he should continue practicing. The key to successful intervention may depend solely on our awareness and handling of these problems.


Unusual infections caused by Pasteurella multocida. Three cases of infection with Pasteurella multocida included acute epiglottitis, septic arthritis, and pleuropulmonary infection. Human infections with this microorganism are commonly related either to animal contact (eg, wound infections) or to the presence of underlying chronic respiratory tract disease. Although septic arthritis and pleuropulmonary infections have previously been attributed to this pathogen, to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of acute epiglottitis caused by P. multocida.


Iatrogenic intraspinal epidermoid tumors. Intraspinal epidermoid tumors may be congenital or acquired in origin. Lumbar punctures performed with needles without stylets or with ill-fitting stylets are responsible for the implantation of epidermal fragments into the spinal canal and the resultant iatrogenic intraspinal epidermoid tumors. Pain in the back or lower extremities is a striking clinical feature in these cases. Myelography should be considered for every patient who has pain in the lower extremities or back and who has had previous lumbar punctures.


Monitoring resuscitation of the injured patient. Physicians are being called on with increasing frequency to initiate resuscitation of the severely injured patient. The medical literature is confusing regarding the best way that this can be done. A study was undertaken to evaluate simultaneously four common, easily measured indexes--blood pressure, pulse rate, central venous pressure, and pulmonary artery pressure. A shock-trauma model employing laboratory-bred beagle dogs was developed. Results indicate that the best single index is pulmonary artery pressure. Certain physiologic principles make central venous pressure an unreliable index.


Radionuclide imaging. Use in diagnosis of osteomyelitis in children. Forty-four children were studied for the presence of osteomyelitis by scintigraphy using Tc 99m etidronate tin complex. Evidence of osteomyelitis on radionuclide images was found in 16 of 19 patients considered to have osteomyelitis by their attending physicians. Bone scintigraphic changes were noted prior to or in the absence of roentgenographic abnormalities in 10 of 19 patients. Cases of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis, chronic osteomyelitis, and osteomyelitis caused by penetrating trauma and contiguous infection were identified. Three bone infarctions were correctly diagnosed.


Psychological effects of diethylstilbestrol exposure. The psychological response of daughters and their mothers to discovery of in utero diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure was studied. At the DES Colposcopy Clinic, 41 daughters and 20 mothers were extensively interviewed. Twelve patients with abnormal cytology tests were controls. Initial anxiety was usually followed by acceptance of the condition after examination and counseling. Patients responded best when informed of their problem by their mothers and when the relationship between mother and daughter was good. The majority of patients found colposcopy to be unpleasant; they tended to be disturbed in proportion to the degree of being upset about DES exposure. The most common problem among mothers was guilt. A questionnaire survey of physicians showed that they had less concern for psychological problems than patients or mothers did. Sensitivity and good communication on the part of medical personnel are recommended.


Reversible hypertension. Caused by the hypercalcemia of hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicity, and calcium infusion. Reversible hypertension occurred in a patient during episodes of hypercalcemia caused by hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicity, and an infusion of calcium during an 11-year period of observation. It is suggested that normal renal function may be required for the hypertension of hyperparathyroidism to be reversible and that the hypertension may be directly related to the hypercalcemia in some patients. Early surgery is suggested for otherwise asymptomatic, mildly hypercalcemia hyperparathyroidism that is accompanied by hypertension.


Measles immunization. Successes and failures. As a result of a large outbreak of measles, measles hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers were measured in 465 immunized children. Titers of less than 1:4 were found in 14.6% of children immunized at 12 months of age as compared to 5.2% of those immunized at 13 months of age or later. Measles antibody titers were higher in the mothers of seronegative children who had been immunized at 11 or 12 months of age than in the mothers of seroposotive children. Measles HI titers of 1:4 or more were present in 94% of children immunized at 13 months of age or later between 1962 and 1964. The findings suggest that vaccine failure and not waning antibody accounts for the majority of titers of less than 1:4 in immunized children. Reimmunization programs should be considered for those who were immunized before 13 months of age.


Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for infections in cancer patients. A combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim) was given orally to 35 cancer pattients with infections. Thirty-two patients did not respond to an initial antibiotic regimen that consisted primarily of carbenicillin disodium and an aminoglycoside. There were 18 single-organism, Gram-negative infections. The overall cure rate was 54%. The most common infection was pneumonia (47% responded to treatment). Eighty precent of the cases of septicemia were cured. The most common infecting organism was Klebsiella pneumoniae (45% with this infection responded). Eight cases of infection of unknown origin occurred (63% responded to treatment). Overall, 47% of the patients whose neutrophil count remained unchanged or decreased responded, while 61% of those whose neutrophil count remained unchanged or increased responded. There was no close correlation between the minimum inhibitory concentrations and the clinical responses. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim orally is a well tolerated and effective form of antimicrobial therapy.


Thrombocytopenic purpura following iopanoic acid ingestion. A 48-year-old woman had severe symptomatic thrombocytopenia three times in 13 months. Each episode followed ingestion of iopanoic acid. The interval between drug ingestion and onset of symptoms was 40, 12, and 8 hours. Resolution to normal platelet counts occurred in 6, 5, and 8 days. The third thrombocytopenic crisis occurred while the patient was receiving maintenance steroid therapy, given because the initial diagnosis was idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Incubation of platelet-rich plasma with the patient's serum caused platelet lysis if either the patient or the donor serum obtained after ingestion of iopanoic acid was present in the mixture.


Identification of subgroups of euthyroid graves's ophthalmopathy. We attempted to determine if euthyroid Graves's ophthalmopathy is a single entity or a heterogeneous group of disorders. Activity of long acting thyroid stimulator protector occurred in 31 of 33 patients with Graves's hyperthyroidism but in only nine of 17 with euthyroid Graves's ophthalmopathy. Of the euthyroid patients, six had protector activity and thyroid non-suppressibility; firm goiters and high titers of thyroid antibodies were the rule in this group. We believe that these patients have three autoimmune diseases: Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves's thyroid disease and Graves's ophthalmopathy. Five euthyroid patients had no detectable protector activity or thyroid antibodies and had normal thyroid suppressibility; the thyroid was generally normal in size and consistence. These patients are interpreted as having "isolated" Graves's ophthalmopathy without any autoimmune thyroid disease. The remaining six patients showed dissociation between protector activity and thyroid non-suppressibility and cannot be classified as yet. Euthyroidism in Graves's ophthalmopathy may have more than one cause.


Intravenous and intrathecal miconazole therapy for systemic mycoses. Ten patients with systemic mycoses, including five with fungal meningitis, were treated with intravenously or intrathecally administered miconazole, or both. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of miconazole for clinical isolates of Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans were less than 0.6 microg per ml. Except for pruritus of variable degrees, the drug was well tolerated both intravenously and intrathecally by all patients. No measurable impairment of renal, hepatic or bone marrow function was observed in patients after 4(1/2) months of intravenous therapy. No hematological or biochemical abnormalities and no evidence of recurrent coccidioidal osteomyelitis were observed in 16 months of follow-up in our first patient treated with this drug. Miconazole is apparently an effective antifungal drug of low toxicity and is a potentially useful agent for treatment of human systemic mycoses.


Transitory growth hormone deficiency successfully treated with human growth hormone. This study was carried out in order to determine whether children with a transitory type of growth hormone deficiency showed an accelerated growth in height velocity on treatment with human growth hormone (HGH). Following careful diagnostic routine procedures 13 extremely short children were diagnosed as having isolated growth hormone deficiency, and were successfully treated with HGH. A true isolated growth hormone deficiency was present in 5 of the children, whereas 8 showed a normal increase in serum growth hormone on repeated growth hormone stimulation tests after their development of puberty and termination of HGH treatment. Three boys with bone ages of 5.5, 8.0 and 9.5 years showed an undisputable effect following HGH administration. They showed an initial growth at the start of treatment, and a second growth spurt during development of puberty. Two of the boys reached final statures of 14 cm taller than the predicted heights. The other patients, including the children with true isolated growth hormone deficiency showed an initial spurt of growth at the start of the HGH treatment immediately followed by a pubertal growth spurt. The mean accleration of height velocity for the children with true isolated growth hormone deficiency was from 3.4 cm during the year before treatment to 7.0 cm during the first year on treatment, as compared to 2.8 and 7.4 cm, respectively, for the children with transitory growth hormone deficiency. A girl with severe anorexia nervosa who had a transitory growth hormone deficiency, showed an accelerated high velocity from 1.1 cm to 7.6 cm during the first year following treatment with HGH.


Changes in the concentrations of aldosterone in the plasma and adrenal glands of the foetus, the newborn and the pregnant guinea-pig during the perinatal period. Plasma and adrenal aldosterone concentrations have been estimated by radioimmunoassay and by gas phase chromatography in the foetus, the newborn and the mother between day 62 of pregnancy and day 8 of post-natal life. The pre-natal period is characterized by a gradual increase in plasma and adrenal aldosterone levels from day 62 up to 67. Birth greatly stimulates the synthesis and the release of aldosterone. In the neonatal period there are two peaks of maximum intensity in the plasma aldosterone concentration, one at 12 h together with a high adrenal aldosterone level, the other on day 5. In the mother the plasma aldosterone concentration is always higher than that of the foetus during the pre-natal period and increases from day 64 of gestation until parturition and remains high during the first 24 h after parturition.


Diurnal rhythm of 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3-one and testosterone in peripheral plasma of boars. Testosterone and the boar taint steroid 5 alpha-androst-16-en-3-one were determined radioimmunologically in peripheral plasma of 3 boars. A modified extraction procedure for the latter compound was established and its reliability confirmed. Samples of plasma were taken every 30 min during three 48 h periods.


Isolated thyrotrophin deficiency in diabetes mellitus. Hypothyroidism in patients with diabetes mellitus is usually primary though rarely secondary hypothyroidism has occurred. An 11 6/12 year old white female developed diabetes mellitus at 8 6/12 years of age. She received treatment up to 40 units NPH daily with adequate control and normal growth. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed after a 3 month history of lethargy, constipation, dryness of skin and decreasing insulin requirement to 10 units NPH per day. Physical examination was entirely normal, except for dry skin. Serum levels of free thyroxine, thyroxine, T3 resin uptake, were low as was 131I uptake. Primary hypothyroidism was ruled out by the absence of goitre, absent antithyroid antibodies, low basal TSH levels and increased 131I uptake after TSH administration. Serum TSH levels rose 4-fold in respone to intravenous TRH administration. The patient was treated with 0.15 mg daily of L-thyroxine with very good response. This report describes a patient with juvenile diabetes mellitus and isolated TSH deficiency with hypothyroidism of probably hypothalamic origin, an association not previously described in children.


Skim milk in infant feeding.

Skim milk in infant feeding. Skim milk in infant feeding. Acta Paediatr Scand, 66:17, 1977. --Ninety-four infants were enrolled at 112 days of age in a study of food intake and growth and 88 were considered to have completed satisfactorily the planned 56 days of observation. The infants lived at home. Feedings consisted of a commercially available formula (Similac, 67 kcl/100 ml) or a slightly modified skim milk (Formula 305, 36 kcal/100 ml) and commercially prepared strained foods. Energy intake and gain in weight were significantly greater by infants fed Similac than by those fed Formula 305. Gain in length was nearly identical in the two feeding groups. During the 56 days of observation, triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses changed little in infants fed Similac but decreased approximately 25% in infants fed Formula 305. It is suggested that body fat stores of infants fed Formula 305 were mobilized to permit growth of fat-free tissue.


Clinical and immunological aspects of food allergy in childhood. I. Estimation of IgG, IgA and IgE antibodies to food antigens in children with food allergy and atopic dermatitis. Sixtynine children with case histories of food intolerance and 30 food tolerant children with atopic dermatitis have been investigated regarding serum IgE levels and IgE-, IgG, and IgA-antibodies to some common foods. Children with food intolerance had significantly higher IgE levels and to a larger extent specific IgE antibodies to the tested allergens. IgE antibodies to cow's milk were found in 71% of the children with histories of cow's milk allergy but occurred also in similar titers in 27% of milk tolerant children with other food allergies. IgE antibodies to egg-white occurred in 88% of egg allergies, but low and moderate titers were also found in 17% of children without food intolerance. However, all children with high titers had symptoms of egg allergy. IgE antibodies to the fish allergen were only found in fish allergic children while IgE antibodies to the fish allergen were only found in fish allergic children while IgE antibodies to soy-bean and green peas were found less consistently. The level of serum IgA antibodies to milk was similar in both groups. The IgG antibody titers to all tested food antigens seemed to parallel the IgE antibody titer to the same food. It was not possible to correlate the IgG antibody titers to symptoms.


Rape: an organized approach to evaluation and treatment. Rape is a rapidly spreading form of violence. The physician must examine and treat the victim and establish an adequate record for legal purposes. Treatment of the victim includes follow-up for late-emerging ego disruption and is greatly aided by employing the assistance of organized agencies such as a hospital-based Social Service or a Rape Crisis Center. It is also important that the victim receive adequate protection against venereal disease and pregnancy.


The relationship between accelerated pulmonary maturity and accelerated neurological maturity in certain chronically stressed pregnancies. Two studies were done. In the first, 51 infants from high-risk pregnancies were evaluated for accelerated clinical neurological maturation. Eight infants had accelerated neurological maturation 3 or more weeks in excess of gestational age. In the second study, a sample of 25 infants with documented acceleration of pulmonary surfactant (lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio greater than or equal to 2 at gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks) all infants showed accelerated neurological maturation (range 3 to 8 weeks) with the conditions studied associated with accelerated pulmonary maturation (for instance, retroplacental bleeding, prolonged rupture of membranes, placental infarction, severe toxemia, hypertensive disease, circumvallation, and amnionitis). Chronic retroplacental bleeding was associated with the most dramatic pulmonary and neurological accelerations.


Value of biopsy in diagnosis of primary lymphosarcoma of marrow. We report the clinical, hematologic, and survival characteristics of 12 patients with lymphosarcoma primarily involving the marrow but without substantial nodal disease. The importance of the biopsy in establishing this diagnosis is stressed, since in 7 of the 12 cases the diagnosis would not have been made had only a marrow aspiration been performed.


Intrauterine diethylstilbestrol exposure and its consequences: pathologic characteristics of vaginal adenosis, clear cell adenocarcinoma, and related lesions. In 1971, the development of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina in young females was first linked to a history of intrauterine exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES). This communication reviews data on cases accessioned in the Registry of Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Genital Tract in Young Females, findings in exposed female and male subjects without cancer, and discusses current concepts of the pathogenesis of the DES-related anomalies of the lower genital tract.


Pituitary adenoma calcification.

Pituitary adenoma calcification. Calcifications have been found in 9 of 137 different pituitary adenomas (6.6%) that have been examined with skull roentgenograms, light microscopy, and electron microscopy. Electron microscopy was most efficient because seven cases showed positive findings. Skull x-ray films showed calcification in four and light microscopy in only two cases. Six adenomas showed signs of increased prolactin production (either by direct determination or presence of galactorrhea). Two pateitns with calcifications on skull x-ray films and negative microscopic examinations did not show signs of any hormone secretion. The ultrastructural examination showed that the process of calcification started in single necrotic cells undergoing fibrillary transformation. No large areas of necrosis were present as seen in other forms of dystrophic calcification. The deposits consisted of dense accumulation of radially oriented hydroxyapatite crystals. The observations suggest that local factors and the type of hormone secreted may play an important role in the calcification pattern of pituitary adenomas.


Functioning lipoadenoma of the parathyroid gland. Lipoadenoma is a rare tumor of the parathyroid gland composed of adult adipose tissue and irregular trabeculae of parathyroid cells. This variant of adenoma is poorly documented. Similar lesions that have been either functional or apparently nonfunctional have been reported as adenoma with unusual stromal development and as parathyroid hamartoma, respectively. In this report, the second case of a functional lipoadenoma of the parathyroid gland is described.


Morphologic changes in the thyroid following low-dose childhood radiation. Surgically resected thyroid specimens were obtained from 18 patients who had received low-dose head and neck radiation during infancy or early childhood. Twelve of the eighteen patients had thyroid carcinoma, with six having lymph node metastasis. In eight the malignancy was not found in the nodule that prompted the surgery but was discovered only after thorough examination of the entire specimen. Our patients showed a number of other histologic changes, not previously emphasized in the literature. They uniformly had marked multinodularity, extensive interstitial fibrosis, and in some cases lymphocytic thyroiditis.


Evolution of lesions in intestinal ischemia. Intestinal ischemia was produced in dogs by ligation and division of a branch of the superior mesenteric artery that supplied a selected segment of bowel. The bowel lesions included patchy mucosal necrosis, ulceration, and stenosis. The development of these changes was studied, and it appeared that ulceration was accompanied by severe submucosal inflammation in uniform appearance. Healing was accomplished by regeneration of mucosa and widespread submucosal fibrosis. Villi developed in the regenerated mucosa about 30 days after the onset of ischemia. Focal disruption of muscularis mucosa and loss of ganglion cells were common, although muscularis propria remained largely intact.


Aspirin-induced glandular dysplasia of the stomach: histologic and histochemical studies in rats. Stomachs of 22 rats treated with aspirin for six months were examined histologically at times ranging from 6 to 18 months after completion of treatment. Healed chronic gastric ulcers were found in 20 rats. Glandular dysplasia was present at the sites of healed ulcers in 12 rats, the glands extending into the submucosa, muscularis propria, and even subserosal fat. The apparent lack of progression with time and the absence of metastases suggest that the changes are not neoplastic but are a consequence of repeated injury and regeneration, with entrapment of glands below the level of the muscularis mucosae. The lesions in the aspirin-treated animals closely resemble those of gastritis cystica polyposa and colitis cystica profunda in the human subject.


Histologic and ultrastructural features of primary and secondary endocardial fibroelastosis. The average size of elastic fibers in thickened left ventricular endocardium was much larger in four patients with congenital endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) than in six patients with acquired EFE (secondary to ischemic heart disease in two patients, to prosthetic cardiac valves in three, and to irradiation of the chest in one). Both components of normal elastic tissue (central, amorphous cores, and peripheral microfibrils) were present in endocardial elastic fibers of each patient. Ultrastructural identification of elastic fibers was greatly facilitated by staining with silver tetraphenylporphin sulfonate.


Fatal meningococcal septicemia.

Fatal meningococcal septicemia. The morphologic and clinical findings in seven fatal cases of meningococcal septicemia are described and interpreted in light of recent experimental and clinical studies. We include evidence that suggests the disease has two distinct pathogenetic mechanisms. First, a shock-like terminal phase is associated with the development of widespread pulmonary microvascular thrombosis. These thrombi, composed largely of platelets and leukocytes, produce severe cor pulmonale that cannot be prevented with heparin sodium treatment. Meningococcal endotoxin also produces disseminated intravascular coagulation, which includes the rapid consumption of fibrinogen and the formation of fibrin thrombi in adrenal and renal glomerular capillaries, causing hemorrhagic infarction of the adrenal glands and renal cortical necrosis. This secondary phase of the disease can be modified with heparin therapy, but its control does not improve survival because the parenchymal lesions produced are not immediately life threatening.


In vivo study of platelet kinetics by 75Se-methionine in different haematological disorders. Labeling of platelets in vivo by 75Se-methionine was performed in premalignant and malignant haematological disorders for evaluation of the kinetics of platelet maturation. The "normal" platelet maturation time (time between the injection of the isotope and maximum radioactivity of separated blood platelets) in eight non-haematological patients showing normal platelet counts was 9.1 days. A shortening of platelet maturation time of 5-7 days was observed in three of four cases with panmyelopathy (high bone marrow cellularity), in three of four cases with malignant lymphatic disorders (multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, lymphosarcoma), and in two of four cases with myeloproliferative syndromes. No correlation to the peripheral platelet counts was observed. For explanation of the premature platelet release from the bone marrow a disturbance of the megakaryocyte maturation is suggested.


The MERMLS leadership institute for hospital librarians: a new concept in extension service. This paper describes a pilot Leadership Institute conducted by the Mid-Eastern Regional Medical Library Service (MERMLS) and a consultant group from Temple University. The purpose of the institute was to instill some basic group leadership techniques in a selected group of geographically dispersed hospital librarians. The institute was conducted in two sessions totalling three days, with two months separating the two sessions. Extensive evaluations by participants at the end of both sessions resulted in general endorsement that the institute's objectives had been attained and that more institutes of this type should be provided.


Metabolic acidosis and infant feeding.

Metabolic acidosis and infant feeding. Most cows' milk based formulae for infant feeding present a greater acid load to the infant than breast milk. To determine the effect of this difference the acid base state of 180 healthy term infants was measured on the sixth day of life and related to the type of feed. Those infants fed on cows' milk formula (SMA) had a mean pH of 7-34 +/- 0-05 and a base deficit of 8-8 +/- 3-1, while those fed on breast milk had a mean pH of 7-38 +/- 0-05 and a base deficit of 5-6 +/- 3-1. The difference between the two groups of infants was significant for both these measurements. Metabolic acidosis was defined as a base deficit greater than 10 mmol/l. Seventy-four per cent of the 34 infants who were acidotic at six days were bottle-fed. There was a significant correlation between the pH of the feed and the degree of acidosis in the infant as measured by the base deficit. The findings suggest that when breast milk is not available a pH-adjusted milk formula would be desirable for preventing and treating neonatal metabolic acidosis.


Influenza in children and young adults with cancer: 20 cases. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical features of laboratory-confirmed influenza in 20 children and young adults with cancer who were receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Viruses isolated from pharyngeal and nasopharyngeal cultures were identified as the A/Hong Kong/1/68 strain or one of its variants, either A/England/42/72, A/Port Chalmers/1/73, or A/Victoria/3/75. Although the signs and symptoms of influenza in our patients were not unusual, the clinical course lasted twice as long as in the general population. Complications developed in only 3 patients and were related to secondary bacterial infections rather than influenza. An important sequelae of influenza was the interruption of cancer therapy in 16 patients for periods of 4 days to 3 1/2 weeks. The severity of influenza did not appear related to type or activity of malignancy or to duration or specific form of cancer therapy. Guidelines for the prevention and management of influenza in children with cancer are recommended.


Relation of gonadotropin secretion by pituitary grafts to spermatogenesis in hypophysectomized rats. In hypophysectomized male rats, 2 anterior pituitary (AP) grafts placed underneath the kidney capsule partially prevented atrophy of the testes and ventral prostate during a 17 day post-implantation period. Spermatogenesis was partially maintained as revealed by histological examination of the testes. The AP grafts released small amounts of LH and FSH and substantial amounts of prolactin as determined by radioimmunoassay. Serum LH and FSH were undetectable in the hypophysectomized rats with no AP grafts. Inhibition of prolactin release by daily injections of ergocornine methanesulfonate (ERG) did not significantly alter serum levels of FSH and LH, spermatogenesis or testes and ventral prostate weights, indicating that circulating levels of prolactin were not responsible for the partial maintenance of spermatogenesis and prostate weight in these rats. Daily injections of ovine prolactin also had no effect on spermatogenesis or prolactin also had no effect on spermatogenesis or prostate weight in the hypophysectomized rats, and there was no change in the histological appearance of the testes and prostate. These observations indicate that secretion of gonadotropins and not prolactin by AP grafts accounts for the partial maintenance of spermatogenesis and prostate weight in hypophysectomized, AP-grafted male rats during the experimental period studied.


A glass wool column procedure for removing extraneous material from the human ejaculate. A glass column has been devised which removes the majority of debris and agglutinated and dead spermatozoa from, as well as reduces the total viscosity of, the semen sample. It is a simple procedure to perform and may have potential clinical significance.


[The determination of surface tension in amniotic fluid as a simple method for the diagnosis of fetal lung maturity (author's transl)]. For the past several years it is possible to determine the maturity of the fetal lung from the amniotic fluid. Towards the end of the pregnancy the content of surface active substances for instance Lecithine, increases in the amniotic fluid. It is therefore possible to determine the maturity of the fetal lung directly by measurements of the surface tension in the amniotic fluid. In 265 patients from 17 to 42 weeks gestation a total of 340 determinations of the surface tension in the amniotic fluid were carried out. A simple commercial interfacial tensiometer was used. The clinical value of the measurements was determined by the occurrance of a respiratory distress syndrome which was objectively evaluated by the so called Hobel Score. The determination of the surface tension for the amniotic fluid is valuable as a screening test prior to the determination of the relatively expensive L/S ration. The test was compared with the Clements Test which is also a screening procedure.


Neoplasms of Equidae.

Neoplasms of Equidae. In a retrospective study of neoplasms in Equidae pre;ented to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University, from Jan 1, 1970, to Dec 31, 1974, data were compiled on numbers and anatomic sites of neoplasms as  well as on age, sex, and breed of subjects from which the neoplasms were taken. During this 5-year period, 21 neoplasms were diagnosed from 687 equine necropsies (3.1%) and 215 from 635 biopsies (33.9%), totaling 236 neoplasms from 1,322 cases (17.9%). The most common neoplasms were sarcoids (43.6%) and squamous cell carcinomas (24.6%). Papillomas (5.5%), nerve sheath tumors (4.2%), melanomas (3.8%), lipomas (3.0%), granulosa cell tumors (2.5%), fibromas (2.1%), cholesteatomas (1.3%), and lymphosarcomas (1.3%) were less common.


Pleuritis and pleural effusion in the horse: a study of 37 cases. Pleural effusion in 37 horses, including 15 acutely affected and 22 chronically affected, was found to be due to a variety of causes, including lymphocarcoma, pulmonary granulomas, coccidioidomycosis, equine infectious anemia, pulmonary abscesses, chronic pneumonia, and primary septic pleural effusion. Age, breed, or sex predilection was not found. Horses with chronic disease had weight loss, increased respiratory rate, dull respiratory sounds in the ventral portion of the thorax, and varying degrees of anorexia. Many horses were anemic. Those acutely affected had respiratory distress or signs of colic and many were anorectic. Most horses with acute primary disease had small volumes of pleural fluid. Culture and cytologic examination of pleural fluid and tracheal washings revealed the causative organism in some instances, but in a number of "primary" cases there were negative results on bacterial culture. The latter cases must be differentiated from other causes of chronic weight loss in the horse.


Temperature-programmable furnace for ashing of foods in trace metal analysis. The use of programmable furnace in preparing samples for determining cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry or atomic absorption spectrophotometry is convenient and time-saving. Recovery data for these 4 metals in various foods (tuna, sardines, and milk) were 93-96% for 0.01-1 ppm cadmium, 96-114% for 0.05-5 ppm lead, 100-108% for 2-10 ppm copper, and 97% for 10 ppm zinc.


Field desorption mass spectrometry of mycotoxins and mycotoxin mixtures, and its application as a screening technique for foodstuffs. The field desorption mass spectra of a variety of mycotoxins have been studied. These include the 4 aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, rubratoxin B, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone, as well as mixtures of these mycotoxins. The spectra of all of the mycotoxins exhibited molecular ions [M]+. Under the conditions employed, only rubratoxin B exhibited major fragmentation. The field desorption technique has been applied to the analysis of both spiked and naturally contaminated extracts of foodstuffs. The potential of the method as an analytical screening technique for the presence of mycotoxins has been evaluated.


Transient recurrence of hyperthyroidism after delivery in Graves' disease. Four patients with Graves' disease whose hyperthyroidism was in remission following antithyroid therapy were studied without any treatment during and after pregnancy. In the 8-9th month of pregnancy, they were in a euthyroid state with serum levels of thyroxine (T4) of 18.9, 11.9, 11.2 and 14.5 mug/100 ml, triiodothyronine (T3) of 273, 190, 162 and 244 ng/100 ml and T3 resin sponge uptake (RT3U) of 22, 14, 19 and 16% respectively (normal pregnant range: T4, 7.0-15.0, T3 140-250, RT3U 15-25). At 1-3 months after delivery, hyperthyroidism recurred, as manifested by T4 levels of 17.2, 14.5, 16.7 and 21.7 mug/100 ml, T3 levels of 320, 225, 390 and 464 ng/100 ml and RT3U levels of 34, 34, 43, and 41% respectively (normal non-pregnant range: T4 5.0-12.0, T3 90-190, RT3U 24-37). The recurrence of hyperthyroidism was also demonstrated by serial measurements of serum free T4 and free T3. The thyroid function of all four patients returned spontaneously to the normal range at 4-6 months after delivery. One patient developed hypothyroidism for a short period before regaining the euthyroid state. The titers of serum anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies and levels of serum immunoglobulins decreased during pregnancy and increased transitorily at the time of hyperthyroidism after delivery. Similarly, increases in the levels of thyroid hormones, anti-thyroid antibodies and immunoglobulins were observed transitorily following spontaneous abortion after 4 months' pregnancy in one case. We suggest that the transient recurrence of hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease may be induced by immunological changes after delivery.


Transient bitemporal hemianopsia during pregnancy after treatment of galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome with bromocriptine. A patient is described with a galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome and an enlargement of the sella turcica. Pregnancy occurred after induction of ovulation with bromocriptine (and 2.5 years after pituitary irradiation). Periodic assessment of the visual fields showed an increase in size of the blind spots after 10 weeks and a moderate bitemporal hemianopsia after 22 weeks, which improved spontaneously after 30 weeks of pregnancy. One month after delivery the visual field of the left eye was almost normalized, while that of the right eye showed a definite improvement. Prior radiotherapy need not prevent visual complications from enlargement of pituitary adenomas during pregnancy.


Radiometric measurement of thyroglobulin-antithyroglobulin immune complex in human serum. A radiometric two-site assay for soluble thyroglobulin-antithyroglobulin immune complex (TgA) applicable to human serum has been developed. Rabbit anti-(human)IgG globulin and anti-(human)thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) were purified by affinity chromatography. When these antibodies were labeled with 125I, 45% and 62% could be bound to their corresponding antigens, IgG globulin and thyroglobulin, respectively. TgA was prepared by dissolving the immune precipitate (formed with human thyroglobulin [Tg] and human anti-Tg) in excess Tg and chromatographing the mixture on Sepharose 4B. On immunoelectrophoresis TgA migrated between IgG and Tg and formed precipitin lines against anti-IgG and anti-Tg. Serum unknowns were chromatographed on Sepharose 4B to separate TgA from free IgG; the heavy TgA eluated in the first fraction. Standard TgA or prepared unknown was first incubated in plastic cups precoated with anti-IgG. After washing cups (free Tg was removed at this step), bound TgA was identified by binding to cups of added 125I-anti-Tg, the bound radioactivity being directly proportional to the amount of TgA present. Minimal detectable TgA was 0.4 ng/cup corresponding to a serum concentration of 16 ng/ml. The response curves of serial dilutions of serum eluate paralleled the standard curve. Coefficients of within assay variation ranged from 3.7 to 4.9%; coefficients for between assay variation ranged from 20 to 28%. Preliminary data indicated that TgA was not detected in the sera of 10 normal subjects, but was detectable in 7 of 29 subjects (24%) with Graves' disease. The clinical significance of serum TgA levels remains to be determined by more extensive testing. The results indicate that a soluble immune complex, TgA, can be detected in serum with a high degree of sensitivity and reliability.


Sleep-related growth hormone release following 2-bromo-alpha-ergocriptine treatment in acromegalic patients. Plasma growth hormone (GH) concentrations were measured over 24 h in seven acromegalic patients before and during treatment with 2-bromo-alpha-ergocriptine (CB-154). Before treatment basal plasma GH levels were consistently elevated but no significant change was observed between the mean plasma GH levels during sleep and during waking in five of the seven patients examined. The daily administration of CB-154 (5 to 10 mg, orally) for 14 days resulted in a significant fall in the 24 h mean plasma GH levels in six of the seven patients. In all of the six patients who responded to CB-154 treatment, the mean plasma GH concentrations during sleep were significantly greater than during waking. Daytime sleep was associated with a significant rise in plasma GH in both of the two patients examined. It is concluded that CB-154 treatment resulted in a significant decrease in plasma GH levels with sleep-related increase in some acromegalics although the mechanism responsible for this sleep-related GH rise remains to be further investigated.