[Child as a victim of abuse and negligence. Plea for a pluridisciplinary approach and for public education]. The phenomenon of child abuse and neglect is universal and involves all population groups or classes. It is more the expression of a socio-affective deficiency than of economic poverty. Cultural factors are more important in its pathogenesis than traditional alienating factors such as schizophrenia and alcoholism. The victims are pre-school children and infants. The most common lesions are multiple hematomas, sometimes associated with fractures and epiphyseal wrenching. Subdural hematomas and bursting of abdominal viscera represent acute threats to the child's life. Risk factors are now better known and alarm signals of predictive value can be identified, which allow preventive steps to be taken. These alarm signals are to be observed during pregnancy, during delivery and in the neonatal period. They emanate from the mother but also from the married couple as a functional unit. After the fact, intervention in the form of control is only effective by the fear it produces. It is not therapeutic, because denial and lack of motivation for psychotherapy are prevalent. Effective therapy can only be prophylactic; hence the importance of identifying the risk. Primary prevention in the authors' opinion, must begin with adolescents, who must be informed and educated while still at school and before they are faced with the problems leading to this interpersonal disorder.


Nutritional outputs and energy inputs in seafoods. Energy used by U.S. ships in harvesting seafoods can vary by a factor of more than 100 when the seafoods are compared on the basis of their content of edible protein or line weight. This energy difference bears no relationship to the nutritive value in the food. When protein yield is compared, the energy to harvest some seafoods is in the same range as that needed to grow field crops. There is a large increase in energy consumption after processing, partly because of the small percent of the live weight used for human food.


Beef production options and requirements for fossil fuel. A large percentage of the feed resources used in beef production cannot be used by man or most other animals. These noncompetitive feeds could be used in different ways to increase beef production, but fossil fuel consumption by the beef industry would not be greatly reduced.


Diazepam maintenance of alcohol preference during alcohol withdrawal. After forced intragastric intubation of alcohol, rats will show a greatly increased tendency to self-administer alcohol in a free-choice situation. Diazepam (Valium) dosage (5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight) during the period ow withdrawal serves to maintain undiminished such alcohol self-administration. Without such diazepam dosage the tendency to self-administer alcohol returns to control levels.


Hyperalgesia induced by naloxone follows diurnal rhythm in responsivity to painful stimuli. A diurnal rhythm was observed in the responsiveness of mice to nociceptive stimuli and in the hyperalgesic activity of endogenous opioid peptides and may partly account for previous controversy over the direct action of naloxone in opiate-naive animals.


Splenoportography--a valuable diagnostic technic, revisited. The value of splenoportography in evaluating patients with portal hypertension was assessed. The technic was found to be useful in estimating portal-venous pressure, ruling out portal vein thrombosis, evaluating the superior mesenteric and portal veins as to their suitability for shunt procedures, and defining anatomy and collateral pathways. Splenoportography is a relatively simple procedure which provides excellent visualization of the portal venous system. Other methods may require special expertise and may not yield sufficient diagnostic information.


The use of nutritional tests for the differentiation of dermatophytes. One hundred and forty-seven isolates distributed among 22 species of dermatophytes were tested for ability to assimilate 23 carbon sources and 4 nitrogen sources, and to hydrolyse casein, tyrosine, gelatine, starch and urea. Differences were found among species in the rate of growth on 11 of the carbon sources, 2 of the nitrogen sources and the time taken to hydrolyse urea. Based on these findings, a practical scheme allowing differentiation of the 22 species investigated is presented. Since the differences in assimilation pattern did not correlate with morphological divisions, this scheme may prove useful in situations where conventional morphological techniques fail to provide an adequate identification of an unknown isolate.


[Sterilization of plastic culture boxes by formaldehyde vapour (author's transl)]. Various experiments showed that plastic culture boxes may be sterilized by formaldehyde vapour in an exsiccator. Detectable quanties of formaldehyde were no longer found to be present when the dishes had been stored at room temperature for 24 hours after sterilization. A striking fature in these experiments consisted in the fact that colonies failed to grow on those agar plates, the surfaces of which had been in contact with formaldehyde vapour. The dishes used should be meticulously cleaned as studies showed that complete sterilization was not achieved when bacteria were present in or on agar. When Petri dishes cleansed in alcohol and then sterilized were used in assessing aerobic bacterial counts in minced meat by the mixed plate technique, significantly higher average numbers of colonies were recorded than was the case when commercially available sterilized Petri dishes were used. When the streak plate method was adopted, however, no significant differences were observed. When all the required manoeuvres are performed with meticulous care, the method is a practicable one ensuring that plastic culture boxes may be used again several times.


Analysis of tissue progesterone residues by gas chromatography - mass spectral and radioimmunological detection methods. Methods for the extraction, isolation and analysis of tissue concentrations of progesterone suitable for studying residue levels from livestock treated with this steroid for the control and synchronization of estrus are presented. The system employs biphasic partitioning for the extraction and silica gel chromatography for the isolation and demonstrates 80 to 90% recovery of 14C-labeled progesterone added as an internal standard. Residue analysis of fat, kidney, liver and muscle tissue samples from ovariectomized non-treated and progesterone treated ewes are compared employing a competitive inhibition radioimmunoassay system which appears to be less specific for progesterone than the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method employing selective ion monitoring detection.


Carcinoma of the oesophagus in the Sudan. The histopathological reports of 135 specimens of carcinoma of the oesophagus received in the Central Research Laboratory in Khartoum during the period 1965 to 1974 and the clinical data of 14 cases treated at the University Department of Surgery in the period 1970 to 1974 are analysed. The incidence in the Sudan is 1.4% of all malignant tumours. The disease affected both sexes equally; is most common at the age of 50-69 and is commoner in patients from the North. Of the different aetiological factors mentioned in the literature the habit of placing tobacco under the tongue or in the labiodental groove seems to be associated with a high incidence of oral cancer and possibly also of oesophageal cancer in much the same way as in Russia. The low resectability rate of 16.3% is due to the high surgical risk of the patients and the lack of supportive measures. Radiotherapy and palliation by indwelling tubes are commonly used with the objective of enabling the patient to swallow.


The effect of natural exposure to Anaplasma and Babesia infections on native calves in an endemic area of Colombia. The age at which native calves first became infected with Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina and the effect of the infections as characterised by anaemia was determined by the biweekly examination of newly born calves on four ranches located in an endemic area of anaplasmosis and babesiosis on the north coast of Colombia. All of the calves examined became infected with A. marginale at 4-24 weeks of age and with B. bigemina at 2-34 weeks of age. The mean age at first infection with both haemoparasites was 11 weeks. A  significant decrease occurred in the mean packed cell volumes of the calves following infection. However, the packed cell volumes returned to preinfection levels with 4 weeks following infection and most calves recovered from their first natural infections without apparent serious consequences. The mild clinical response and rapid recovery indicated that the protection of native calves through immunisation or other procedures prior to natural exposure would be of questionable value.


The planning and construction of veterinary investigation laboratories in tropical and sub-tropical countries. IV. Ancillary buildings and carcass disposal. Suggestions are made for the siting and construction of a post mortem unit, animal accommodation and other ancillary buildings for veterinary investigation laboratories in tropical and sub-tropical countries. The disposal of carcasses and other waste is also considered.


[Relationship between environmental pollution and genetic monitoring of human populations]. The basis of genetic monitoring is the knowledge of laws of the spontaneous mutation process. These laws are determined for human chromosome and genome mutations by cytogenetic examination of newborns, infants with congenital defects, and the material of spontaneous abortions. Confidence intervals and all the necessary sample sizes were calculated when registering the mutagenic effects of different intensity in the general population as well as to the groups of closer contact with mutagens. Such calculations were made for controlling the spontaneous mutation process in lymphocytes of human peripheral blood on the basis of registering chromosome aberrations.


A new technique for simultaneous urethrocystometry including measurements of the urethral pressure profile. A new standardized technique for continuous recording of the urethral pressure profile simultaneously with intravesical pressure has been developed. The pressure are recorded using two microtransducers enclosed in a thin Dacron catheter. The catheter is moved at a constant speed through the urethra with the aid of a specially designed withdrawal instrument. Using electronic subtraction the closure pressure can easily be measured simultaneously with the intravesical and intraurethral pressure. About 900 investigations have been performed with this technique. It has been testified that very detailed information about normal micturition as well as stress and urgency incontinence can be obtained. The functional as well as the absolute length of the urethra can be estimated within half a millimeter.


Treatment of stress incontinence with estrogen in postmenopausal women. 41 female patients with a stress incontinence of grade II or III were treated with 2 mg estriol daily over a period of 2-4 months. The function of the bladder was objectively evaluated by urethrocystotonometry. A significant rise of the urethral pressure profile could be demonstrated in 95% (39/41) of patients. An improvement of the stress incontinence by one clinical grade could be shown, but in no case a completely continent bladder sphincter.


Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of urge urinary incontinence in women. Under standardized conditions, simultaneous urethrocystometry and recording of urethral pressure profile were performed in 10 healthy volunteers and 20 patients suffering from urge incontinence. In the normal subjects, desire to void occurred at a bladder volume of about 300 cm3. At maximum bladder capacity (approximately 500 cm3), variations in intraurethral pressure were recorded at a time when the intravesical pressure remained stable. Immediately before voiding, there was a marked reduction in intraurethral pressure and then the intravesical pressure increased. In 10 of the patients with symptoms of urge incontinence, the findings did not differ from those in the normal subjects. In the other 10 patients, urgency was reported at bladder volumes between 125 and 150 cm3, and the maximum bladder capacity did not exceed 200 cm3. In 8 of them, marked variations in intraurethral pressure were recorded when urge was experienced, whereas the bladder pressure remained stable. In 2 of the patients, variations in intraurethral and intravesical pressure occurred simultaneously. The role of the urethra in urge incontinence is discussed.


[Short and long-term results of the treatment of vesicovaginal fistula by the vaginal approach (author's transl)]. Gynecologists prefer the vaginal route for closure of vesicovaginal fistulae. Urologists, however, have some doubts as to the long-term results as far as proper function is concerned. The purpose of this investigation was to discover the limits of the vaginal fistula operations with reference to patients at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Erlangen-Nürnberg. From 1962 to 1976, 40 women with vesicovaginal, urethrovaginal and vesicocervicovaginal fistulae were treated. Forty-five operations were necessary. In one patient, surgery in two sessions was planned from the beginning. Besides 4 obstetric fistulae, gynecological operations were the original cause of the fistulae in 34 cases. Two women had actinic fistulae (overdosage of intracavitary radium application). Attempts to close the fistulae here failed utterly. The Latzko technique was used in 27 women. Füth's method, in 7. In the remaining cases various vaginal procedures were chosen, for example, interposition of the bulbocavernosus muscle or interposition of the uterus. Three late complecations with recess formation (in 2 cases with concrements) after the Latzko operation could be treated trans-urethrally. Ten years after a Füth's operation one patient had to undergo vaginal surgery for an urethral diverticulum with concrement. The precedure of choice in the typical post-hysterectomy fistula is the Latzko operation. For fistulae patients who still have a uterus, other vaginal procedures are preferable. No attempt should be made to close a radiogenic fistula--usually following inadequate radiation therapy--by a vaginal operation. Details of our indications are fully dealt with in the discussion.


The effect of oestrus on milk production in cows. The rectal temperatures, pulse rates and milk yields of 44 Ayrshire and 38 Friesian cows were recorded during oestrus and compared with values obtained after oestrus had ceased. The fat, solids-non-fat (SNF) and protein percentages and the cell counts of milk samples were also compared. Forty of the cows were housed in cubicles and 42 were kept loose in yards. During oestrus rectal temperatures and pulse rates were significantly raised and milk yields were lowered. Milk had, on average, significantly higher fat contents and cell counts and lower SNF and protein contents than post-oestrous milk. The differences due to oestrus between the cows kept in cubicles and yards were minimal, but the Ayrshire cows tended to show more significant effects than the Friesians, except in the milk cell counts, where the difference was higher in the Friesians.


[Effect of glucose and insulin on sheep fertility]. Tested was the effect of glucose and insulin given in various doses to a total of 372 ewes at the time of artificial insemination of the animals' conception rate. Glucose was administered per os at the rate of 50 to 150 g, once to three times at 50 g, and insulin--via the parenteral route at rates of from 80 up to 160 IU, once or twice at 80 IU, every eight hours from the beginning of estrus. It was found that the oral application of glucose during insemination raised the level of blood sugar in the second half of the estrus cycle by 20.50 to 23.30 per cent, and the rate of conception--by 10.00 to 12.56 per cent more as against the values of these indices in the control animals. The optimal dose proved to be 100 g divided in two portions and administered at an eight-hpur interval. Insulin, injected twice at an 8-hour interval at a dose of 80 IU each time at the time of insemination lowered the level of blood sugar by 25.9 per cent, and the conception rate--by 80.40 per cent as compared with the controls.


[Studies of the etiology of infectious abortion in cows in Ruse District]. A total of 28,159 blood serum samples have been examined for brucellosis, 87--for leptospirosis, 84--for toxoplasmosis, 554--for the presence of rickettsii and neoreckettsii, and 193--for total protein content, albumin, and protein fractions, taken from cows in the course of the years on 40 dairy farms in the district of Rousse. Bacteriologically were examined 349 aborted fetuses, 178 samples of estral secretion, 57 placentae, and 1002 samples of washings and seminal fluid from bulls for vibriosis. Bacteriologic investigations were also carried out on 383 fetuses for salmonellosis, listeriosis, and colibacteriosis, and virologic studies of 398 placentae and parenchymal organs of fetuses. Twenty-eight fetuses were studied parasitologically for toxoplasmosis, and 118 blood smears were examined for hemosporidiosis. It was established that most important in the etiology of the infectious abortions in cows in the district of Rousse were Vibrio organisms. They were found in 36.9 per cent of the studied bovine fetuses and in 24.4 per cent of all materials examined bacteriologically. Only 4 cases were noted of neorickettsii from fetuses and placentae. Serologically, there were 23.6 per cent cases positive for neorickettsiosis, and 12.6 per cent--for Q fever; 56.4 per cent of the investigated sera proved positive for leptospirosis. In 0.8 per cent of the examined fetuses there was Escherichia coli. Abortions in cows were also due to anaplasmosis and francaillelosis; 14.2 per cent of the investigated respective sera were positive for toxoplasmosis. On the days of abortions the amount of total protein was 7.13 mg%, that of albumins--36%, and of globulins--64%. It is considered imperative to elucidate the cause of abortions of infectious nature in cows in connection with the establishing of cattle-breeding complexes.


[Effect of diazepam on the exocrine pancreatic secretion in the alcoholized and nonalcoholized dog]. Diazepam did not appreciably alter the exocrine pancreatic response to exogenous hormones in nonalcoholic and chronicalcoholic dogs. The use of diazepam during experiments in dogs will therefore not significantly affect measurement of pancreatic secretory capacity.


Quantitative studies on acetylcholinesterase in seven species of digenetic trematodes. Quantitative estimation of absolute levels and in vitro  release of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in seven species of digenetic trematodes: Isoparorchis hypselobagri from the swim bladder of catfish, Wallago attu; Srivastavaia indica and Gastrothylax crumenifer from the rumen, and Gigantocotyle explanatum from the liver of the water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis; Fasciolopsis buski, Echinostoma malayanum from the small intestine and Gastrodiscoides hominis from the caecum of the pig, Sus scrofa revealed that the enzyme is present in remarkably high quantities in species which inhibit gastrointestinal tract compared with those that parasitize liver and swim bladder. The rate of in vitro release of AChE also varies with the species which supports the view that such differential secretion probably takes place in situ as well to counteract peristalsis and it is a biochemical adaptation on the part of these trematodes.


[Persistent infection of pig embryo kidney cell cultures caused by a variant of tick-borne encephalitis virus]. The results of modelling and study of persistent infection of pig embryo kidney cell cultures (PEK) with MF variant of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus are presented. In the life of chronically infected cultures periods of formation and stabilization were observed which were characterized by different types of relationships between the persisting virus and the cells. By the characters under study the persisting virus did not differ significantly from the initial MF variant. Inoculation of PEK and BHK-21 cell monolayers with samples of DNA from chronically infected cultures permitted to isolate transfected agents. Their identification by the neutralization tests and the indirect immunofluorescence procedure confirmed that they belonged to TBE virus. It is suggested that the mechanism of TBE virus persistence in PEK-MF system is based on the integration of TBE virus genome with DNA of chronically infected PEK cells.


Immune mechanism of rats on Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in vitro. II. The influence of lymphocytes and peritoneal cells. Nippostrongylus were collected from the intestines of rats 6 days p.i. and kept under sterile conditions in cultures. Serum, lymphocytes and peritoneal cells of immune or non-infected animals were added in various combinations to the culture media. The culture media were changed 2-3 times in an experimental period of 10 days, resp. serum and cells were added. The lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood or from the mesenterial lymph nodes whereas the mononuclear cells were obtained from the peritoneal cavity. Serum and lymphocytes from the peripheral blood both from immune and non-infected rats, had no increased lethal effect on Nippostrongylus. The highest lethality rate of adults (65-68%) was achieved in cultures with peritoneal cells and lymphocytes from the lymph nodes of sensitized rats. Serum of infected or non-infected animals had no influence on adult Nippostrongylus in cultures with these cell combinations. In the controls without any cell-supplements the survival rate of the parasites was up to 88%.


[Preparation of ribonucleoproteins and virion envelopes of the Zaisan-260 and R-16225 strains of Semliki Forest virus antibody production]. Conditions for the preparation of subviral structures, envelope and ribonucleoprotein, of the Zaisan-260 and R-16225 strains of Semliki Forest virus inducing antibody response in rabbits inoculated into lymph nodes were developed. The virus was cultivated in chick embryo fibroblasts in a medium containing rabbit serum. Ribonucleoproteins and envelopes were isolated by virus disruption with Nonidet P-40 at 25 degrees C for 20 min followed by fractionation in a linear sucrose density gradient 15-30% at 150,000 X g for 50 min, and identification of envelopes and ribonculeoprotein by 14C and 3H labels. Rabbit immune sera to virions, envelope and nucleopsid fragments of the both Semliki Forest strains wer prepared. The immune sera to the intact virion had slightly higher antibody titres than sera to subunits.


[Influence of raw milk processing on the aflatoxin M content of milk products (author's transl)]. Several contracdictory results in the literature lead us to the conclusion, that the influence of raw milk processing on aflatoxin content should be tested under as close as possible practical conditions. Even though storage at 5 degrees C for 1-3 days does not greatly influence aflatoxin content (11-25% reduction), this might still be important for food inspection. Although experiments on exposure to light resp. oxygen were repeated ten times, the results could not be definitely be shown as due to oxidation. Part of the contradictory literature references also in the case of freeze drying in our opinion caused by the way in which aflatoxins was added. The loss was less pronounced when milk was contaminated naturally than when it was added artificially. Heating of milk, depending on the conditions, caused a decrease of the aflatoxin-content of between 12 and 35% when making butter from naturally contaminated cream 23% (18-28%) of the aflatoxin M1 appeared in the butter, whereas the buttermilk contained the major amount of aflatoxin.


Selenium content of mushrooms.

Selenium content of mushrooms. The selenium contents of 83 species of wild mushrooms were determined by oxygen combustion of the sample, followed by conversion of selenite to bromopiazselenol and final estimation by electron capture gas-liquid chromatography. Selenium concentration were found to range from 0.012-20.0 mg/kg dry weight. Selenium content was species-dependent. High concentrations were found in Agaricaceae and in certain Boletaceae of the genus Tubiporus, whereas in Russulaceae, Amanitaceae and Cantharellaceae selenium-rich species were absent or rare. Ascomycetes and all mushrooms growing on wood had a very low selenium content. The highest selenium concentrations (up to 20 ppm) were found in Boletus (Tubiporus) edulis, a most popular edible mushroom. Analyses of various parts of carpophores of B. edulis, Suillus luteus and Amanita muscaria indicate that in all three species the stalk contains less selenium than the fleshy part of the cap. In Boletus and Suillus the highest selenium content was found in the tubes.


[Determination of connective tissue content of meat products using the hydroxyproline methods (author's transl)]. The amino acids of collagenous and elastic connective tissue of beef and pork and of commercial meat products were determined by gaschromatography. A correlation was established between hydroxyproline and glycine and also between hydroxyproline and proline. Thus the content of elastic connective tissue in meat products is quite constant and compared with the amount of collagenous material insignificant.--Determination of amount of connective tissue in meat products from the amount of hydroxyproline this is suitable for the needs of food control.


[Cadmium uptake by mushrooms (author's transl)]. Mushrooms of the subgenus Rubescentes (for example Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestris) accumulate for less cadmium than most species of the subgenus Flavescentes (for example Agaricus arvensis and Agaricus silvicola). Hence it appears there is no danger for human health, from too much cadmium, when eating the often gathered Agaricus campestris. The caps of the mushrooms enrich cadmium to twice the amount present in the stems. The authors analysed 32 samples of wild mushrooms of the subgenus Rubescentes and 39 samples of wild mushrooms of the subgenus Flavescentes. They furthermore cultivated mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) on substrates with different amounts of added cadmium.


[Influence of cooling temperatures on aflatoxin formation in milk products (author's transl)]. In the literature several contradictionary results have been published on the aflatoxin formation at temperatures below 10 degrees C. Therefore experiments with pastes made from milk and cheese powder artificially contaminated with Aspergillus parasiticus, were performed at temperatures of 1 degree C, 5 degrees C, and 10 degrees C for 28 days at a relative humidity of 90--95%. Even at 1 degree C, the aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1 could be determined quantitatively. The lactose content did not have a significant influence on the aflatoxin values. Even storage of cheese (camembert and cottage cheese) in a 10% salt solution did not inhibit aflatoxin formation at 20 degrees C.


Effect of volatile and gaseous exudates of germinating seeds of some plants on the germinative potentialities of some fungal spores in relation to their ability of absorption of some sugars and nitrogen sources. Volatile and gaseous exudates of germinating seeds of Z. mays, P. armeniaca, C. sativus, and C. olitorius stimulated the spore germination of B. piluliferum. This stimulation was accompanied with an increase in sugar and nitrogen source absorption during the spore germination. On the other hand, the volatile and gaseous exudates of the germinating seeds of P. sativum inhibited the absorption of both sugar and nitrogen source, as well as the percentage of spore germination. In case of B. cinerea, the effect of the volatile and gaseous exudates of the germinating seeds of all plants used on the fungal spore germination differed according to both the sugar and nitrogen source absorbed.


[Occupational and extra-occupational stresses during pregnancy subjectively assessed by the gravida and their significance in relation to other perinatal risks for the newborn infant]. 6780 mothers postpartaly were asked how they assess their occupational employment. We made following groups: the work is physically very strain, middle strain or not strain, the work is mentally very exert, middle exert or not exert. We selected 2/3 or all cases to have high risk in pregnancy or neonatal period. We found statistical coherences between the subjective judgement and the social status. The correlations between the subjective judgement of the occupational employment and the risk factors of the perinatal period were loose. The correlations between the perinatal risk factors and the objective social dates (trade, number of children, age of the mother etc.) are better than between perinatal dates and subjective assessment of their occupational employment by the mother.


[Direct fetal electrocardiography in umbilical cord complications and congenital heart abnormalities]. The modern obstetrics allows with help of electronical control a prenatale and intranatale state-diagnosis of the fetal heart. By use of direct fetal electrocardiography is it possible under consideration of QRS-deformations and ST-segment-depressions to add a suspicious diagnosis, so that can avoid dangerous complications of the umbilical cord or in case of absence of such complications can early detect congenital heart diseases.


[Maturation diagnosis in full term hypotrophic fetuses]. Foam-Test by Clements is a valuable method for determining the foetus maturity of lungs. We introduce this test along with other parameters for the maturity-diagnosis since one year. In 15% result, the Foam-Test was not applicable because of blood, or meconic amniotic fluid, other wise wrong negative and in 0% wrong positive results. By unmatured child, there was doubtable results with Foam-Test. Since it is important to determine the early delivery of unmatured children, particularly the case of foetus maturity of lungs must be exact, we therefore decided to use the Lecithin/Sphingomyelinquotients in some cases. The results of Lecithin/Sphingomyelinquotient in unmatured children are almost with the approximated date under two. From this, one must deduce from these children, that the intrauterine unmatured lungs lately took place.


[Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in female sex organs]. In the course of isolation experiments on 18 gynaecological patients Mycoplasma hominis was found in the genital organs of five and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in those of three other women. In 2 cases both agents were present. Antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma orale were in 8,3, respectively 1 serumtests verified. The anamnesis, diagnostics and therapy of the 3 women is reported.


A genetic study of erythrocyte arginine-tRNA synthetase activity in man. To search for evidence of genetic variation among the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, a semi-automated assay procedure employing a Technicon AutoAnalyzer was used to measure erythrocyte arginine-tRNA synthetase activity in samples obtained from normal human twins of various ages. Variation in enzyme activity within the older DZ twins was five times that of the MZ twins suggesting the existence of genetically determined variation in enzyme activity. Higher enzyme activity was observed in newborn DZ unlike-sexed twins than in like-sexed twins for either zygosity. Possible explanations for this observation are discussed.


A proposed test of the difference between the means of monozygotic and dizygotic twins. The rationale for using an approximate t' test of the difference between the means for MZ and DZ twins is presented. This test avoids pooling the among-MZ and among-DZ twin-pair mean squares and has approximate degrees of freedom based upon the relative number of MZ and DZ twin pairs as well as the relative sizes of the among-MZ and among-DZ twin-pair mean squares. Sampling experiments simulating twin studies were used to show that the rate of Type I error for this t' test was appropriate while other tests could give either too many or too few Type I errors depending upon the relative sizes of the mean squares and the relative numbers of MZ and DZ twin pairs.


Efficiency of genetic systems for diagnosis of twin zygosity. A definition of efficiency is presented to aid a researcher in the choice of the genetic systems for the diagnosis of twin zygosity. An expression is given that produces a numeric value that indicates which systems do the most effective job of discriminating DZ twins from a sample of twin pairs. This definition of efficiency is illustrated with eight blood groups commonly used in twin zygosity diagnosis.


Sources of information for discriminating MZ and DZ twins by dermatoglyphic patterns. It is shown that the within twin-pair difference is the most important source of information in determination of twin zygosity using dermatoglyphic data. Inclusion of a measure of among-pair variability provides added discrimination beyond that found with the within-pair difference alone.


Simulation of twin data controlling population mean, variance, skewness and kurtosis. A computer system for simulation of quantitative twin data is being developed. The capability is being built in a simulate distributions with known means, standard deviations, skewness and kurtosis.


Anti-stress ulcer and anti-secretory effect of somatostatin in rats -- failure to suppress serum gastrin. In rats the influence of arresting free motions (= controls; mild stress) and of restraint (= severe stress) without and with additional somatostatin (SRIF) on gastric secretion, mucosal microcirculation and stress ulcer formation was studied. Severe stress alone reduces volume, acid and pepsin secretion, acid concentration, aminopyrine clearance and ratio. The ulcer index is elevated. Under both conditions SRIF inhibits in a dose-dependent manner volume and acid secretion, and ulcer incidence is lower. The interaction between severe stress and the antiulcer component of SRIF is characterized as non-competitive. Under these conditions and a continuous infusion of SRIF (10.0 microgram/kg.h over 8 h) acid concentration, acid and pepsin secretion fall subtotally, ulcer index to 50 percent of vehicle (saline) treated rats, if gastric fistula drains juice outside stomach. Microcirculation and serum gastrin are unchanged. In animals with closed fistula ulcer index is reduced by 85 percent, average gastrin again is unchanged. It is concluded that stress ulcers develop at a low secretory and microcirculatory state of gastric mucosa. The prophylactic effect of SRIF results from direct inhibition of parietal and chief cells and additional yet unknown factors.


Microcephaly with peculiar demyelination mimicking Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. The neuropathological studies of a 4-year old idiot with microcephaly revealed a striking demyelinating disease compatible with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. The case seemed to be best classified as the patchy demyelination type, but the most unusual finding was a prominent vasculature in some demyelinated areas. Intrauterine hypoxia was proposed as a causative factor of this type of demyelinative lesions.


Two distinctive types of lipid histiocytes appearing in the spleen of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Sea-blue histiocyte and foam cell. In 11 of 18 spleens surgically removed from patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), the occurrence of sea-blue histiocytes or foam cells were observed. In a few cases, sea-blue histiocytes were found in the lymph nodes or bone marrow. Histochemically the sea-blue histiocytes were proved to contain ceroid or ceroid-like pigments in their cytoplasm. Ultrastructurally numerous intracytoplasmic membrane-bound inclusions, mostly containing tightly laminated materials and intermingling electron-dense amorphous materials or osmiophilic lipid droplets, were present in these cells. In the foam cells, accumulation of excess amounts of phospholipids was histochemically demonstrated in frozen sections, often accompanied by deposition of cholesterol, particularly in advanced cases. Electron microscopically, vacuolar membrane-bound inclusions were found to predominate in their cytoplasm, most of which contained irregularly or loosely laminated materials. Transitional cells between both types of cells were also found light or electron microscopically and ultrastructural transition of sea-blue histiocytes to foam cells was traced. Enhanced phagocytosis of blood cells, including platelets, by sea-blue histiocytes, and gradual transition of the ingested blood cells to the inclusions were confirmed.


External carotid pulse recordings in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. External carotid pulse tracings were examined in 15 patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), the diagnosis being confirmed by catheterization of the left heart. Of 12 patients with intraventricular gradients at rest, 9 had a typical bifid pulse with midsystolic dipping. In one patient without a gradient at rest, midsystolic dipping occurred only in beats following extrasystoles (Brockenbrough phenomenon). The upstroke of the pulse wave was rapid in all the patients, a finding that distinguishes them from patients with valvular aortic stenosis. There was a correlation between the length of the left ventricular ejection time and the intraventricular gradient (r = 0.71) but as more than half the patients had normal or shortened ejection times, the diagnosis of HOCM cannot be based on measurements of this parameter. It is concluded that carotid pulse registrations are of considerable diagnostic value in patients suspected of having HOCM. As the pulse changes are correlated to the degree of left ventricular outflow obstruction, it is suggested that repeated pulse tracings may be used as a means for controlling the degree of obstruction once the diagnosis has been established in the individual patient.


[The heritabilities of tests of physical fitness, calculated from the performances of ten years old twin pairs (author's transl)]. In the German Democratic Republic a representative sample of 300 twin pairs of normal 10 years old school children was measured and tested. From a subset of 480 pairs (153 pairs of opposite sex and 327 of the same sex) the heritabilities are calculated: stature 0,89; weight 0,88; 60 meters run 0,85; long jump 0,74; cricketball throw 0,54; push up 0,85; hop jump 0,66; endurance run 0,93; shot throw 0,71. The use of heritabilities as weighting factors in the construction of selection indices for purposes of personnel selection is discussed.


Conversion of hydroxo(aquo) cobalamin to sulfitocobalamin in the absence of light: a reaction of importance in the identification of the forms of vitamin B12, with possible clinical significance. During determinations of the forms of vitamin B12 in foods and human tissues several samples yielded a growth zone on bioautography which was distinct from those due to methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, or cyanocobalamin. The material responsible for this growth zone was identified as sulfitocobalamin and the mechanisms in its formation from hydroxocobalamin involve absence of light and the presence of bisulphite ions derived from atmospheric sulfur dioxide or indigenous sulfite ions. The formation of sulfitocobalamin during the extraction of cobalamins from foods and tissues can be prevented by reception and homogenization of the material in an ammonia buffer instead of water; the hydroxocobalamin is then converted to ammonia cobalamin, which is more resistant to attack by (bi)sulfite ions. The conversion of hydroxo(aquo)cobalamin to sulfitocobalamin in the dark can be rapid, and materials for analysis should be placed in the ammonia buffer before darkroom work is begun. The rapid conversion of hydroxo(aquo)cobalamin to sulfitocobalamin in the dark raises the possibility that hydroxocobalamin in foods may be converted to the less well absorbed sulfitocobalamin in the upper gastrointestinal tract.


The NHLBI twin study of cardiovascular disease risk factors: methodology and summary of results. Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors were studied in 250 monozygotic (MZ) and 264 dizygotic (DZ) male veteran twin pairs, aged 42-56. All coronary heart disease risk factors studied showed significant correlations in both MZ and DZ twins. Substantial genetic variation was detected for height, blood pressure, glucose intolerance, uric acid, plasma triglyceride, and relative weight but little or no significant genetic variability in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), total plasma cholesterol or hematocrit was demonstrable. These findings suggest that familial aggregation results from genetic influence on blood pressure, glucose intolerance, uric acid, triglyceride and, possibly, obesity, while largely shared environmental factors contribute to familial similarities in HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and hematocrit.


Genital malignancy in pregnancy.

Genital malignancy in pregnancy. The clinical problems associated with the presence of genital malignancies occurring during pregnancy are presented. This report represents the clinical experience at one medical institution over a 20 year period. Eighty cases of cervical neoplasm, four cases of ovarian carcinoma, five vulva carcinomas, and one vaginal carcinoma are presented. The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to malignant neoplasia of each area are discussed separately.


Observations on the surface area of the abnormal transformation zone associated with intraepithelial and early invasive squamous cell lesions of the cervix. The apparent area of the abnormal transformation zone (TZ) of the cervix was measured in a total of 104 patients by a simple method with the use of the 1 and 5 mm. diameter circle in the center of the field of the Leisegang colposcope and the field of the colposcope itself. The visible area (mean +/- S.E.M.) of the abnormal TZ for five patients with microinvasive or occult carcinoma of the cervix (180.8 mm.2 +/- 62.2) was significantly larger (p less than 0.01) than that of 64 patients with major intraepithelial lesions (62.5 sq. mm.2 +/- 7.3) and 35 patients with minor intraepithelial lesions (45.8 sq. mm.2 +/- 11.7). The visible area of the abnormal TZ measured over 40 mm.2 in each of the five patients with invasive lesions but in only 42 of 99 (42%) patients with intraepithelial lesions. The TZ extended into the endocervical canal and could not be fully visualized in four (80%) of the patients with invasive lesions, 24 (38%) of patients with major intraepithelial lesions, and 11 (31%) of patients with minor intraepithelial lesions. The implications of these findings are discussed.


Keratitis with hypoparathyroidism.

Keratitis with hypoparathyroidism. Chronic kiratitis developed in two children with nonsurgical hypoparathyroidism, as part of an autosomal recessive syndrome that included adrenal insufficiency and moniliasis in what was postulated to be an autoimmune disease. The corneal changes may also have been caused by autoimmune mechanism. Activity of the keratitis diminished once the hypoparathyroidism had been brought under control. However, these patients were thought to be at risk for adrenal insufficiency: neither had moniliasis or adrenocortical insufficiency at present, but the features of the hypoparathyroidism adrenal insufficiency-moniliasis syndrome appeared at different ages and in differing sequences.


Cardiac cellular responses to altered nutrition in the neonatal rat. Rats reared in litters of 18, 12, and 6 to determine whether preweanling nutritional state would alter rates of cardiac cell division, weighed 31.7, 39.1, 48.2 g, respectively, at 21 days of age. Weights of left ventricles also increased (93.2, 123.5, and 167.2 mg) as did those of right ventricles (29.9, 43.2, and 54.3 mg). Total DNA content rose in both ventricles in the pups reared 6 per litter vs. those reared 18 per litter (6/litter vs. 18/litter), but more so in the left ventricle (79%) than in the right (24%). Autoradiography confirmed that this increase in ventricular DNA resulted from increased proliferation of cardiac muscle cells, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells. When 3H-labeled thymidine was injected on day 1, autoradiographs prepared on day 21 reflected an increased dilution of label in the 6/litter rats, consistent with enhanced proliferation. The labeling index and grains per nucleus of left ventricular muscle cells of the 6/litter rats were 29% (P less than 0.005) and 20% (P less than 0.001) less than those of the 18/litter rats. Less vigorous but definite hyperplasia occurred in the right ventricle, which appeared to respond with an increase more in cell size than in cell number.


Vitamin A and retinol-binding protein metabolism during fetal development in the rat. Studies were conducted on the metabolism and placental transport of vitamin A and plasma retinol-binding protein (RBP) during fetal development in the rat. Vitamin A accumulated in the conceptus in three phases: an early phase (days 7-9 of gestation) characterized by a high vitamin A concentration; a second phase (days 11-14) where vitamin A and RBP accumulated in parallel; and a third phase of continued vitamin A and RBP accumulation (days 16-20) in which vitamin A was stored in the fetal liver. The early phase of vitamin A accumulation may reflect a mechanism that exists to prepare the conceptus to meet the presumably higher vitamin A requirements of the critical period (days 10-14) of organ differentiation. Fetuses and placentas from retinol-deficient dams showed low levels of RBP through days 16-18 of gestation. A retinol-repletion study suggested, moreover, that the maternal retinol-RBP complex crossed the placenta. The various studies all suggest that vitamin A is transported from dam to fetus, from and after day 11, mainly by transplacental transport of maternal retinol-RBP. Finally, evidence was obtained indicating that the fetal liver begins to synthesize RBP around the 16th day of gestation and that by the 20th day, the fetal liver has a considerable capacity for RBP synthesis.


Leukocyte emigration and migration in the vagina following mating in the rabbit. Within 45 minutes after mating in the rabbit, numerous heterophil leukocytes adhere to the endothelium of venules in the vagina. Initial association appears to occur via small protuberances from the leukocyte which fit into small indentions in the endothelial cell. Following adherence, leukocytes flatten and pass between endothelial cells. A regular intercellular space separates the leukocyte from the endothelial cells. Leukocytes subsequently migrate through the connective tissue to the epithelium. By three hours postcoitus, the region beneath the basement lamina of the vaginal epithelium is crowded with numerous juxtaposed leukocytes. Leukocytes subsequently migrate between epithelial cells into the vaginal lumen where they actively engulf spermatozoa. Spermatozoa appear to be ingested head first. Numerous small filaments are observed in the leukocyte cytoplasm in the region adjacent to the sperm head. Degranulation of azurophyl granules follows sperm uptake. The leukocyte response can be elicited either by spermatozoa (from the epididymis) or by semen (from vasectomized bucks), but is not elicited by ovulation (with human chorionic gonadotropin). It is suggested that the response may be initiated because the vagina does not distinguish between semen, spermatozoa and bacterial infection.


Phagocytosis of spermatozoa by the rabbit vagina. Twenty-four hours after mating in the rabbit, numerous spermatozoa are observed attached to the surgace of the vaginal epithelium. Spermatozoa appear to be attached by their heads to microvilli of the simple columnar cells which compose the vaginal epithelium. Spermatozoa are taken up by the epithelial cells, and they are found within the cells in various stages of degeneration up to seven days after mating. Epithelial cells frequently appear to be filled with numerous vacuoles containing sperm components in various stages of degeneration. It is suggested that some property of the surface of sperm heads may render them particularly susceptible to phagocytosis. Phagocytosis of spermatozoa may not have long-term harmful effects for the epithelium since these epithelial cells presumably have a high rate of turnover.


Secretion of granules by the luteal cells of the sheep and the goat during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. The fine structure of luteal tissue from sheep and goats at the mid-stage of the estrous cycle and during pregnancy was examined. At the mid-stage of the estrous cycle, when the corpus luteum of both species is secreting progesterone, the ultrastructure of the luteal cells is similar in that granule secretion is prevalent. In late pregnancy, the corpus luteum of the sheep produces very little progesterone and there is an absence of granule secretion. In the pregnant goat, the production of progesterone from the corpus luteum is high and there is plentiful evidence of granule formation and secretion.


X to Y spermatozoal ratio in normal and oligozoospermic human semen and its relationship to fertility parameters. The ratio of X to Y spermatozoa in normo and oligozoospermic human semen is established with a fluorescent technic using quinacrine. The relationship between concentration of X and Y spermatozoa to factors that potentially control the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa (i.e. sperm count, vitality, motility and morphology) is analyzed. Out of a total of 44 samples (22 normo and 22 oligozoospermic samples) a ratio of 1:1 in X to Y spermatozoa is found in both groups. The frequency of X to Y spermatozoa in the evaculate is not related to sperm count. It is also independent from morphology, motility, and vitality of spermatozoa.


The separation of X-and Y-spermatozoa with regard to the possible clinical application by means of artificial insemination. With the sephadex gel-filtration method according to Steeno and Adimoelja (1974), X-spermatozoa have been successfully separated from the Y-spermatozoa in semen samples from 81 donors with the possibility of practical use with the aid of artificial insemination to promote pregnancy. A better quality of spermatozoa is obtained after this method of filtration, which will support these spermatozoa in having the potency of fertilization. There is indeed a decrease in concentration of spermatozoa after filtration, but the samples still fulfil the minimal concentration required in artificial insemination.


Circulatory response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation with or without prior oropharyngeal viscous lidocaine. Oropharyngeal topical anesthesia with viscous lidocaine (25 ml of 2% as a "mouthwash and gargle" 10 min before laryngoscopy) attenuated the pressor but not heart rate (HR) response during laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Compared with control patients, mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased less in response to tracheal intubation (23 +/- 5 torr versus 39 +/- 4 torr, p less than 0.05) and returned toward awake levels sooner in patients receiving viscous lidocaine. MAP increased more than 40 torr in response to intubation in 6/20 patients treated with viscous lidocaine, while 12/20 control patients manifested this degree of blood pressure elevation. HR increased about 20 bpm (p less than 0.05) with or without viscous lidocaine. Arterial lidocaine concentrations were less than 0.5 microgram/ml after oropharyngeal anesthesia. Prior topical anesthesia of the oropharynx with viscous lidocaine should be considered when pressor responses during tracheal intubation would be particularly likely or hazardous.


Crystalloid hemodilution, hypothermia, and halothane blood solubility during cardiopulmonary bypass. Sequential determinations of halothane blood solubility were determined in 8 patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), hypothermia, and crystalloid hemodilution. The mean temperature-corrected blood/gas partition coefficient (B/G) at the end of surgery (2.4) was lower than preceding induction (2.7). The greatest mean B/G (2.9) occurred after induction of anesthesia. The halothane B/G did not increase significantly at the inception of CPB but decreased from a mean 2.7 to 1.6 as the patients were rewarmed. The maximum range of B/G for a single patient was 1.4 to 3.1. For halothane, the increased blood solubility due to hypothermia was initially antagonized by the crystalloid hemodilution. This antagonism would also be anticipated for methoxyflurane, enflurane, and isoflurane. For N2O and diethyl ether, the increased blood solubility due to hypothermia would be unopposed by simultaneous crystalloid hemodilution.


Anesthetic management of pulmonary lavage in adults. A 6-year experience in the anesthetic management of 34 successful whole-lung lavages on 11 adult patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is described. All patients were radiographically, physiologically, and symptomatically improved after the procedures. The anesthetic protocol for lung lavage includes: (1) unilateral whole-lung lavages 2 to 4 days apart; (2) general anesthesia with the placement of a Carlens tube; (3) isotonic saline as the lavage solution; (4) mechanical chest percussion during lavage; (5) serial arterial blood-gas determination and measurement of lung compliance in the intraoperative and immediate postlavage period. The authors conclude that whole-lung lavage is a safe and effective palliative procedure in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and in the treatment of patients with pulmonary disease, such as cystic fibrosis or asthma, in which filling of the lung acini by liquid or solid material impairs oxygenation of the pulmonary capillary blood.


Effect of chemical sympathectomy on muscle blood flow. Lumbar chemical sympathectomy using 5% phenol in glycerin alleviated intermittent claudication and improved cutaneous blood flow. This technic permits instituting physiotherapy and exercises to improve collateral circulation. The procedure was performed 56 times on 29 cases. No significant complication was observed. Muscle blood flow (MBF) was measured by 133Xe clearance, at rest and following exercise. Total blood flow (TBF) of the leg was measured by the impedance method, and increased cutaneous blood flow was confirmed by thermogram and photoplethysmogram. TBF increased significantly following exercise after sympathectomy. The ratio of MBF at rest and after exercise increased significantly in m. gastrocnemius, a white muscle, but was not significant in m. anterior tibialis, a red muscle. Chemical lumbar sympathectomy also produces preganglionic neurolysis to suppress vascular hypersensitivity after surgical ganglionectomy.


Cardiovascular effects of meperidine-N2O anesthesia before and after pancuronium. The cardiovascular effects of 2 and 3 mg/kg of meperidine plus 60 to 67% N2O in O2 on cardiovascular dynamics in man were measured before and after the administration of 0.08 mg/kg of IV pancuronium. N2O and 2 mg/kg of meperidine did not change heart rate (HR) but produced a marked reduction (-49%) in cardiac output (QT) plus significant decreases in stroke volume (SV) and blood pressure (BP) and an increase in peripheral arterial resistance (PVR). Additional meperidine did not further alter any of the variables; however, surgical stimulation caused significant increases in HR, BP, and PVR. SV and QT were not significantly changed by surgical stimulation and were still markedly depressed when compared to control values. Pancuronium produced marked increases in HR, SV, QT, and BP and a reduction in PVR. These changes were maximal 4 to 8 minutes after pancuronium and returned toward pre-pancuronium values thereafter. These data demonstrate that N2O-meperidine anesthesia results in a moderate reduction in BP but a marked depression in QT. The findings also indicate that pancuronium reverses the cardiovascular depression produced by N2O-meperidine and is therefore, a desirable muscle relaxant when the above technic is employed.


Nausea and vomiting after anesthesia and minor surgery. The antiemetic effects of droperidol, diphenidol, and placebo were compared in 210 patients subjected to minor gynecologic or urologic procedures. Atropine (0.6 mg), meperidine (1 mg/kg) body mass, and either droperidol (5 mg), diphenidol (40 mg), or 2 ml of 0.9% saline were administered IM, 1 hour before general anesthesia. Trial drugs were presented in coded ampules so that the study was conducted double-blind. Droperidol appeared superior to both diphenidol (p less than 0.01) and placebo (p less than 0.001) in the prevention of vomiting, and reduced the incidence of nausea when compared to saline (p less than 0.05). Forty-four patients experienced side effects, which occurred with similar frequency in the 3 groups studied.


Electroanesthesia (EA) studies: current applications to human volunteers to produce general and local anesthesia. Electrical currents found to be of sufficient intensity to produce EA in animals were applied to human subjects several hundred times, to determine whether, and how, clinical general anesthesia, and local anesthesia in various parts of the body, could be obtained. General anesthesia was not produced in any subject in any test, the obstacle in every instance being pain. Local analgesia of the arm was obtained in one subject, but in all other subjects muscle spasm and vibration pain prevented application of enough current to produce analgesia or anesthesia in the arm. Anesthesia of the hand was produced several times in all subjects, with a total loss of pain sensation.


Caudal anesthesia in infants.

Caudal anesthesia in infants. This report summarizes experience with caudal anesthesia in 70 infants ranging in age from 4 to 110 weeks, selected at random from among infants undergoing routine surgical procedures. In 50 infants, lidocaine 1.5% and in 20 infants, mepivacaine 1.5%, was used. In 35 cases, the dosage of the drug to be administered was calculated on the basis of an empirical formula and in the other 35, the dose was based on body weight. The author concludes that infants can tolerate some local anesthetic agents in even higher proportional doses than adults.


Criteria for early extubation after intracardiac surgery in adults. Of 142 adult patients undergoing open-heart surgery, 123 were extubated either in the operating room or within 3 hours after admission to the recovery room, to avoid the discomfort and risks of prolonged mechanical ventilation. The remaining 19 patients, who had impaired cardiac function, were mechanically ventilated for 1 to 7 days postoperatively. The most important criteria for cardiopulmonary malfunction indicating the need for continued mechnical ventilation were a low mixed venous O2 saturation (SVO2) of less than 60% and a high left atrial pressure (greater than 20 torr). Of the 123 patients, 118, had an uneventful postoperative recovery and 5 needed reintubation, 2 because of low SVO2 and 3 because of complications unrelated to respiratory management. Most adult patients can spontaneously breathe adequately immediately after or within 3 hours of completed open-heart surgery, but a thorough physiologic and clinical evaluation should precede extubation, to identify those who need prolonged mechanical ventilation in the postoperative phase. Criteria for selection of patients for early extubation are presented.


Paracervical block with 2-chloroprocaine. Thirty healthy term gravidas in active labor received a paracervical block (PCB) with the ester-type local anesthetic, 2-chloroprocaine (2CP). Good to excellent pain relief resulted in all but 1 case. The duration of action was short (mean 38.9 min), requiring repeat blocks in 6/30 cases. Fetal heart rate and uterine contractions were electronically monitored, and fetal acid-base status was periodically checked by fetal scalp pH measurements. PCB-related fetal bradycardia was observed in  3 cases, but in only 1 case was PCB the only cause for the bradycardia. Fetal acidosis was not observed. No instance of neonatal depression or acidosis as expressed by the 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores and cord blood acid-base evaluation was observed. No maternal complications were observed. It is concluded that paracervical block using 2CP is an effective though short-acting method of pain relief which, when properly monitored, is safe for both mother and fetus.


Effect of etomidate on the cardiovascular system. Following intravenous injection of 0.3 mg/kg of etomidate, the only noteworthy change in measured cardiovascular parameters was a 10 percent increase in heart rate. This suggests relatively stable cardiovascular response associated with administration of this new nonbarbiturate anesthesia induction agent.


Collapse of endotracheal tubes due to overinflation of high-compliance cuffs. Overinflation of endotraceal-tube cuffs may seriously compromise the patient's airway, due to collapse of the wall of the endotracheal tube. Two case reports describe this complication, with x-ray demonstration of the hyperinflated cuffs.


Distribution of immunoglobulin and secretory component containing cells in chickens. Distribution of immunoglobulin (Ig)-containing cells and secretory component in internal organs of two 15-day-old embryos and 17 chickens, 1 to 480 days old, were examined by fluorescent antibody technique. In 15-day-old embryos, Ig-containing cells were not found in gut, bursa, spleen, or thymus. The bursa of Fabricius synthesized IgM, IgG, and IgA in as young as 1-day-old chicks. In extrabursal organs, IgM-containing cells were already present in intestine of 1-day-old chicks, but IgA-containing cells appeared in intestine, thymus, and spleen between the 3rd and 7th day after hatching. Very few IgG-containing cells were in intestine on the 3rd and 7th day after hatching. Secretory component was found in epithelial surfaces of intestine and ductus choledochus of most chickens examined. The presence of secretory component and IgA-containing cells in intestine supported the existence of secretory-immunologic system in chickens.


Effects of milk from animals fed locoweed on kittens, calves, and lambs. Calves, lambs, and kittens given milk from cows fed locoweeds developed microscopic lesions typical of locoweed poisoning. Serum aspartate aminotransferase activities increased markedly during the feeding period in both the cows given the locoweed and the animals receiving their milk. The results of this experiment indicate that the toxin in locoweed can be secreted in the milk.


Probable amniotic fluid embolism during curettage for a missed abortion: a case report. Diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism is difficult in a patient under general anesthesia and may initially resemble several other conditions. Successful treatment requires maintenance of adequate cardiac output and oxygenation and prompt heparin treatment of  the disseminated intravascular coagulation. The presented case exemplifies another group of patients who are ar risk for amniotic fluid embolism.


Tenuazonic acid production by Alternaria alternata and Alternaria tenuissima isolated from cotton. Cultures of Alternaria alternata (three isolates) and Alternaria tenuissima (three isolates) obtained from cottonseeds and bolls were toxigenic when cultured on various laboratory media. A mycotoxin was isolated and identified as tenuazonic acid by using solvent partition, thin-layer chromatography, and instrument analyses. Toxicity was monitored with brine shrimp and chicken embryo bioassays. All cultures except A. alternata 938 produced tenuazonic acid when grown on cottonseed and on yeast extract-sucrose broth. The most toxin (266 mg/kg) was produced by A. tenuissima 843 on cottonseed.


Ethylene production by axenic fruiting cultures of Agaricus bisporus. Axenic cultures of Agaricus bisporus were used to show that the rise in ethylene production during fruiting derives from its own metabolism.


Oxygen demand by lipid-accumulating yeasts in continuous culture. Specific oxygen uptake rates [Q(02)] were highest when Candida 107 and Rhodotorula gracilis grew at their maximum dilution rates. In nitrogen-limited medium, which encourages lipid accumulation, Q(02) values of both yeasts decreased as the dilution rate was lowered.


Fermentation of cellulose by Ruminococcus flavefaciens in the presence and absence of Methanobacterium ruminantium. The anaerobic cellulolytic rumen bacterium Ruminococcus flavefaciens normally produces succinic acid as a major fermentation product together with acetic and formic acids, H2, and CO2. When grown on cellulose and in the presence of the methanogenic rumen bacterium Methanobacterium ruminantium, acetate was the major fermentation product; succinate was formed in small amounts; little formate was detected; H2 did not accumulate; and large amounts of CH4 were formed. M. ruminantium depends for growth on the reduction of CO2 to CH4 by H2, which it can obtain directly or by producing H2 and CO2 from formate. In mixed culture, the methanobacterium utilized the H2 and possibly the formate produced by the ruminococcus and in so doing stimulated the flow of electrons generated during glycolysis by the ruminococcus toward H2 formation and away from formation of succinate. This type of interaction may be of significance in determining the flow of cellulose carbon to the normal rumen fermentation products.


[Evolutionary aspects of the distribution of Ascaridoidea in mammals (author's transl)]. In an attempt to interpret the distribution of Ascaridoidea in Mammals and Birds, a scheme is proposed, based on the concept of geological periods of evolutionary expansion for parasitic lines. It is assumed that the evolutionary expansion period of Ascaridoidea in Mammals occurred after the diversification of primitive mammals; this would explain the absence of ascarids in these groups. Periods of evolution appear to coincide with the diversification of Carnivora and Sirenia, the first to become invaded; Artiodactyla and Equidae became invaded later, at the time of their diversification. The other cases of parasitism of Mammals by Ascarids are thought to be "captures".


Cell wall metabolism during fruiting of the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune. During the development of fruit bodies of the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune, the alkali-insoluble (R glucan) and alkali-soluble (S glucan) cell wall fractions are synthesized during the entire course of morphogenesis. The water soluble glucan (WSG) is not synthesized after an early stage. There is also a relative increase in the proportion of S glucan during development with appears related to a change in the proportion of the components synthesized. Data are also presented to show that several fruiting mutants also have specific cell wall differences, and that there is a significant contribution to cell wall structure by genes which do not cause a macroscopically observable change in phenotype.


The preferential cytotoxicity of reovirus for certain transformed cell lines. The susceptibility of a variety of cell lines of different mammalian origin to cytotoxic (CT) induction by either ultraviolet light-irradiated reovirus type 2 (UVR2) or viable reovirus type 2 plus the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, was examined. The following groups of cells were found to be susceptible to CT-induction: certain tumor cells and spontaneously transformed cell lines of human origin and certain virally and spontaneously transformed cell lines of murine origin. The following groups of cells were found to be resistant: normal human diploid cell lines, primary and continuous cell cultures of subhuman primates, primary mouse cells, normal rat kidney cells and baby hamster kidney cells. Susceptibility to CT-induction could not be related to the adsorption of virus to cells, nor to the capacity of the cell to support virus replication.


Persistent infection of BHK21/WI-2 cells with rubella virus and characterization of rubella variants. Persistently infected cell lines of BHK21/WI-2 cells have been established by infection with the wild type rubella virus strain M-33. These cell lines, BHK-MP1 and BHK-MP2, showed immunity-like resistance to superinfection with M-33 virus at both 34 degrees and 39.5 degrees C. They also showed intrinsic interference with the replication of Newcastle Disease Virus at 34 degrees C but not at 39.5 degrees C. They released a small number of infectious virus particles which were temperature sensitive variants, being able to form plaques at 34 degrees C, but not at 39.5 degrees C on BHK21/WI-2 and on its derivative, BSR. When BHK-MP1 cells were cultured at 34 degrees C in growth medium containing 10--20 microgram/ml of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BudR) there was a 5- to 10-fold increase in infectious virus in the medium as compared with the untreated controls. Mitomycin C (0.5 microgram/ml) treatment for 7 hours likewise stimulated the release of virus from these cells. The enhancement of viral release by BudR was completely blocked by pretreatment with actinomycin D (5 microgram/ml) for 3 hours prior to BudR treatment. Since the variant can be induced by these prophage inducers and inhibited by actinomycin D it is suggested that the viral genome is converted to a DNA provirus which is analogous to the lysogenic state of bacteriophage.


[Autoimmune panhemopathy in lymphoid hyperplasia in a child]. The case reported concerns a 12 year old boy, admitted in 1970 with a clinical picture evoking a malignant hemopathy: thrombocytopenic purpura, leukopenia, multiple lymphadenopathies, enlarged spleen and, at histological examination, lympho-reticular hyperplasia of the spleen and lymphe nodes, simulating at the beginning, a nodular lymphoma. Immuno-hematological investigations revealed a complex auto-immune picture, which concerned essentially hematopoiesis. In fact, the pseudo-tumoral aspect of lymphenodes, was related to a dysfunction of the immune system, the pathogeny of which is presently better known.


[Influence of sex on children's body measurements and indices of biological age (findings from a study of twins of different sexes)]. By antropometry and roentgenography methods in 52 twin pairs of different sex, body dimensions, the third metacarpal bone and the phalange of the third right hand finger, as well as the terms of permanent teeth eruption were studied. The investigation revealed no timely coincident periods in growth activity between girls and boys. During the first period (6,5--10 years), predominance of some dimentions is observed in boys, during the second (8,5--14 years)--in girls, and during the third (11--17 years)--in boys again. Somewhat different terms for permanent teeth eruption make it possible to distinguish two periods: 7 years when the boys surpass the girls in the number of permanent teeth (two teeth in average) and 8--14 years when the boys lag behind the girls in the number of permanent teeth.


[Histoenzymologic characteristics of the human fetal pituitary under conditions of maternal hyperestrogenism]. The development of the fetus adenohypophysis analyzed under the conditions of high doses of sinestrol, administered to mothers, revealed certain morphofunctional characteristics in the group studied in comparison with the control. In normal pregnancy, a gradual increase in protein content and in nucleic acids activity are noted, as well as an increase in the enzymes in protein synthesis and transport within the cell. Under maternal hyperestrogenity, however, in the adenohypophyseal cells of 7--14 week-old fetuses, a decrease in the content of hormonal protein-precursors, nucleic acid activity, inhibition of synthesis and trnsport processes are observed.


The origin of IgA-containing cells in intestinal lymph of sheep. The origin of IgA-containing cells in sheep intestinal lymph was determined by antigenically stimulating a mesenteric lymph node and by studying afferent intestinal lymph. Since antigenic stimulation of the node resulted almost exclusively in the appearance of IgG1 antibody-containing cells, it was proposed that IgA-containing cells are normally produced either in the Peyer's patches or lamina propria of the intestine. These conclusions were supported by studying lymph obtained by cannulation of a lymphatic duct afferent to the mesenteric lymph nodes. Study of the cells in afferent lymph revealed the presence of a significant population of IgA-containing blast cells. This was convincing evidence that the IgA-containing cells normally found in intestinal lymph originate from sites in the intestine.


Micelles of cerebroside sulphate.

Micelles of cerebroside sulphate. The critical micelle concentration of cerebroside sulphate in water is 0-01 mM: it increases with increasing concentrations of buffer to 0-07 mM in 0-1 M sodium acetate and formate buffers, pH 5-6 and 4-5 respectively. The partial specific volume of the micelles is about 0-94. The behaviour of the micelles in the ultracentrifuge and on Sephadex G-200 shows them to be grossly heterogeneous with respect to size. In 0-1 M buffer s20,w is about 26 S; in water or 0-01 M buffer smaller micelles with an s20,w of about 6 S are also present. In 0-01 M formate, pH 4-5, the smallest species detectable by equilibrium ultracentrifugation had a micellar weight of about 180,000 corresponding to an aggregation number of about 180. Much larger aggregates were also present. It is suggested that the smallest micelles are the substrate for sulphatase A when this is acting as a cerebroside sulphatase in buffers of low ionic strength.


MZ or DZ? only your blood grouping laboratory knows for sure. Data from individual interviews, blood grouping analyses, and ratings of photographs of a large sample of adolescent twins were examined in order to assess the accuracy of zygosity determination by alternate methods. Although the accuracy of the twins themselves and of the raters was above chance, it was not sufficiently high to justify diagnosis by these methods rather than by blood grouping analyses.


A genetic analysis of aggressive behavior in two strains of mice. Examination of BALB/cJ and A/J mouse strains revealed marked differences in their levels of isolation-induced aggression. Using the dangler paradigm, we found that BALB/cJ males were uniformly aggressive, while A/J males showed no tendency to attack. Genetic analysis showed that the expression of aggressive behavior in the F1, F2, and backcross generations was consistent with the transmission of high aggressivity as a single, autosomal recessive trait. Although the data are consistent with a major-locus effect, more complex polygenic modes of inheritance have not been excluded.


[Nutritional aspects of hydrogenated soy oils and their isomeric unsaturated fatty acids]. The results of long-term feeding experiments with three species of animals which received considerable amounts of soyabean oil hydrogenated in different ways confirm the safety-in-use of this type of product. Just like saturated or cis monoenoic fatty acids, monoenoic and polyenoic fatty acids with the trans configuration always have to be supplemented with an adequate amount of cis-cis linoleic acid. The unfavourable effects observed in rabbits after prolonged feeding with one of the studied hydrogenated fats were to be expected in view of the marginal amounts of linoleic acid present in the diet they received. In human nutrition, considering the limited use as such of that particular type of extremely hydrogenated fat with a high melting point, it can be concluded on the basis of present knowledge and with an ample safety margin, that the fats investigated have no unfavourable nutritional effects. With regard to the prevention of cardiovascular disease it is desirable to limit the amount of saturated, as well as trans fatty acids, in order to be able to supply an adequate amount of linoleic acid in the diet.


Initiation and elongation of polyribonucleotide chains on rat ventral-prostate chromatin transcribed by homologous ribonucleic acid polymerase B. The characteristics of initiation of RNA synthesis and the elongation of RNA chains on rat ventral-prostate chromatin by RNA polymerase B were investigated by two methods. 1. Initiation was carried out under low-salt conditions with three ribonucleoside triphosphates, and elongation was begun in the absence of reinitiation by the addition of the fourth ribonucleoside triphosphate and increasing the salt concentration. 2. Stable initiation complexes were formed by preincubation of enzyme with template at 37 degrees C, elongation was started by the addition of all four ribonucleoside triphosphates and reinitiation or spurious RNA synthesis was prevented by rifamycin AF/013. The latter method gave more reliable results. The dependence of those parameters on the androgenic status of the animal was studied. During the first 24h after castration, elongation was mainly affected, whereas after 72h a smaller number of initiation sites for RNA polymerase B on chromatin was evident. Considerable diurnal variations in the various parameters were observed. Changes in the relative concentrations of the chromatin-associated proteins were also observed after castration. In the rat ventral-prostate gland androgenic steroids may not only influence one stage of the transcriptional process, but may affect many factors involved in the control of gene expression.


Ultrastructure of proteoglycans in human renal arteries from end stage renal disease. Although glycosaminoglycans, particularly proteoglycans, have been characterized biochemically in normal and diseased arteries, little is known regarding their ultrastructural characteristics in human arteries. The observations reported here were made in renal arteries from nephrectomy specimens from patients with endstage kidney disease and hypertension. By light microscopy, the diffusely thick intima is characterized by small, slender smooth muscle cells embedded in a finely fibrillar, strongly alcian-blue positive, intercellular matrix. Ultrastructurally, there is a loose meshwork of collagen fibrils, elastic units and abundant fibrillogranular units staining strongly with ruthenium red and identified as proteoglycans. These consist of ovoid or diamond-shaped electron-dense granules about 300-500 A in diameter, having fine filamentous processes.


Left atrial metastasis of chorion carcinoma, presenting as mitral stenosis. A 35-year-old women developed symptoms of multiple system disease. Three months later she was admitted to hospital and died six days after admission, with signs suggestive of mitral stenosis. Postmortem examination indicated primary chorion carcinoma of the right ovary with metastases to the left atrium, lungs, brain, kidneys, pancreas, mesenteric arteries, and spleen. The signs and symptoms, and the morphological and histological findings at necroscopy, are discussed.


Comparison of the effects of human pregnancy serum and anti-inflammatory compounds on the release of lysosomal enzymes from macrophages. Human sera and anti-inflammatory drugs were compared for their ability to inhibit the zymosan-induced release of beta-glucuronidase from cultured rat peritoneal macrophages. Late pregnancy serum was the most potent in this respect and produced a dose-related suppression with a maximum of 94% when 15% (v/v) serum was incorporated into the culture medium. The effect was not shown by male serum and was associated with compounds of low molecular weight. However, steroids, commonly elevated in level during pregnancy, did not appear to be responsible for the inhibition of enzyme release.


[The diagnosis of infection in the neonatal period]. The laboratory tests used to establish the diagnosis of infection in the newborn period were studied and it was found that more than 700 band cells/mm3 in peripheral blood supported the diagnosis of sepsis and that concomitant thrombocytopenia increased these possibilities. Among the other tests, only the IgM was found of diagnostic value in cases of intrauterine infection.


Autoimmune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura in pregnancy and the newborn. The effects of autoimmune (or idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP) on 51 pregnancies in 29 women is presented. There is no convincing evidence that the clinical course of ATP is influenced by pregnancy. There was no increased incidence of obstetric complications. No problems were encountered following spontaneous vaginal delivery or low forceps delivery. There were no perinatal deaths. Twenty newborn infants were studied in detail and significant thrombocytopenia was present in half of them. The severity of thrombocytopenia in the newborn correlated closely with the severity of maternal disease; those women in clinical remission following splenectomy but with presumed high levels of antiplatelet antibodies were those most likely to be delivered of affected newborn infants. The cord blood platelet count was the most reliable guide to the potential severity of the neonatal thrombocytopenia. Platelet counts were lowest between the second and fourth days of neonatal life. The management of the severely affected infant is discussed.


Hydroxyproline index as a tool for nutrition status surveys in malarial regions. 1. The efficiency of the urinary hydroxyproline index as an indicator of nutrition status in mass surveys was investigated. The index was determined in 364 children aged under 5 years who participated in the National Nutrition Status Survey of the Republic of Zambia. The results of these biochemical investigations are given for all children and also according to the presence of various tropical parasitic diseases. 2. In rural areas of Zambia the hydroxyproline index was not related to the age of the child during the first 5 years of life. A lower nutritional status as defined by weight-for-age was associated with a lower hydroxyproline index. 3. The main factor affecting the index was the presence of malaria parasites in the blood. Malaria was associated with a lower index in all circumstances investigated, including children with definite growth failure. The mean of the index for healthy children was 2-49. 4. It is concluded that the index is of value in surveys but only in addition to other assessments of nutritional status. In regions where malaria is endemic the index may be of little value in determining nutritional status unless the presence of malaria parasites in the blood is investigated in all subjects and interpretation of the hydroxyproline index where malaria is confirmed is very complex.


Stereochemical studies of the pyruvate kinase reaction with (Z)- and (E)-phosphoenol-alpha-ketobutyrate. (Z)-and (E)-phosphoenol-2-ketobutyrate were synthesized. [3-2H]-2-Ketobutyrates were formed from both isomers in the pyruvate kinase reaction in 2H2O and were converted to chiral propionates. Authentic (2S)-[2-2H]propionic acid was also prepared, and the optical rotatory dispersion curves of the propionates were compared. The rotation compared with standard propionate at 240 nm of sodium (2R)-[2-2H]propionate from the Z isomer was 47% (i.e., 53% was RS), and of (2S)-[2-2H]propionate from the E isomer was 29% (i.e., 71% was RS). Protonation at C-3 of the 2 si, 3 re face of the pseudosubstrates would have yielded (2R)- and (2S)-[2-2H]propionates from the Z and E analogues, respectively. An explanation offered for the nonstereoselective protonation that occurred is dissociation of the enol from the enzyme and subsequent random protonation in solution.


Biochemical and immunological characterization of two distinct variants of histone H2A in Friend leukemia. Changes in the relative amount of two histone H2A subfractions have been observed in cells at different proliferative stages of Friend leukemia. Biochemical analyses of the purified H2A subfractions reveal them to be different in primary structure, and not the result of postsynthetic modifications of the same parent protein. Antibodies raised against the purified H2A.2 subfraction cross react with H2A.1 and H2A.2, but show high specificity for the immunizing subfraction at higher sera dilutions. Only H2A.2 contains a methionine which appears critical to an antigenic difference that immunologically distinguishes H2A.2 from H2A.1. The observed change in the relative amounts of two nonallelic variants of a histone coincident with changes in the physiologic states of the cell may indicate a correlation between genome structure and function.


Influence of substituent ribose on transition state affinity in reactions catalyzed by adenosine deaminase. Adenosine deaminase from calf intestine hydrolyzes adenine at a limiting rate four orders of magnitude lower than that for adenosine, while Km values for these substrates are about the same (Wolfenden, R., et al. (1969), Biochemistry 8, 2412-2415). Reactivity of 6-substituents, toward nucleophilic displacement, is found to be affected only slightly by removal of ribose as a 9-substituent, in model reactions. Substituent ribose thus appears to stabilize, selectively, the transition state for enzymatic deamination. In contrast with the small influence of substituent ribose on the apparent binding affinity of substrates, removal of substituent ribose from a potential transition state analogue, 1,6-dihydro-6-hydroxy-methylpurine ribonucleoside, results in a lowering of its affinity for the enzyme by several orders of magnitude. The synthesis of the analogue and related compounds is described, and their properties compared with those of other photoadducts and of the naturally occurring inhibitors covidarabine and coformycin. Binding of these inhibitors is found to result in the appearance of ultraviolet-absorbing bands in the neighborhood of 323 nm.


Characterization of Allomyces genome.

Characterization of Allomyces genome. Allomyces arbuscula DNA isolated from whole cells (bulk DNA) is composed of a major (alpha) and two minor components (beta & gamma) with buoyant densities in neutral CsCl corresponding to 1.721, 1.710 and 1.702 g/cm3, respectively. The DNA obtained from purified nuclei contains alpha component only. The beta component corresponds to mitochondrial DNA. The gamma component is also extra-nuclear but has not been characterized. The reassociation kinetics of sheared, bulk and nuclear DNA show that (i) 25 % bulk and 10% of nuclear DNA reanneal very rapidly and contain highly repeated sequences; (ii) moderately repeated sequences, accounting for 15% of both bulk and nuclear DNA, have a sequence complexity of approximately 7.2-10(6) daltons and are repeated about 320 times; (iii) the slow reannealing fraction accounts for about 60% of the genome and has kinetic properties similar to single copy sequences. The sequence complexity of this fraction was determined in relation to that of Escherichia coli. After a correction for the size of the repeated sequences the genome size of A. arbuscula was calculated to be 1.7-10(10) daltons.


Ribosomal RNA cistrons in Allomyces arbuscula. Bulk and nuclear DNA have been fractionated by preparative neutral CsCl equilibrium density gradient centrifugation and each fraction hybridized to labeled rRNA (25 + 18 S). The cistrons coding for rRNA appeared on the light side of the main peak. Hybridization of the nuclear DNA fractionated by preparative Ag+-Cs2SO4 gradients at different pHs showed that the banding profile did not change as compared to the CsCl pattern. In Hg2+-Cs2SO4 gradients, however, the peak of the fRNA-DNA hybrids shifted on the heavier side of the profile. This indicates that the ribosomal RNA cistrons in Allomyces are A-T-rich. Hybridization with homologous rRNA showed that, at saturation, 3.25% of the DNA is complementary to rRNA. With the genome size of 1.7-10(10) daltons, the multiplicity of rRNA cistrons has been found to be close to 270.


Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase and formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase from porcine liver. Isolation of a dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase fragment from the multifunctional enzyme. Tryptic digestion of a multifunctional enzyme from porcine liver containing methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.5), methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase (5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate 5-hydrolase, EC 3.5.4.9) and formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (formate:tetrahydrofolate ligase, EC 6.3.4.3) activities destroys the synthetase. A fragment containing both dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase activities has been isolated by affinity chromatography on an NADP+-Sepharose affinity column. The purified fragment is homogeneous on dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis where its molecular weight was determined as 33 000 +/- 1200 compared with 100 000 for the undigested protein. The cyclohydrolase activity retains sensitivity to inhibition by NADP+, MgATP and ATP.


Gangliosides and phospholipids of the membranes from bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin granules. The lipid and ganglioside compositions of membranes of chromaffin granules isolated from bovine adrenal medulla have been investigated. The detailed lipid analysis revealed the presence of high levels of lysophosphatidylcholine, in agreement with previous studies, but also of sphingomyelin and plasmalogens. From these membranes, gangliosides have been extracted and separated by thin-layer chromatography and analysed. 95% of the total recovered gangliosides were hematosides (GM3), which migrated as three major species. Sugar analyses have been performed, as well as the fatty acid compositions. The three hematoside gangliosides appeared to differ on the basis of their fatty acid composition. Compared with the brain, chromaffin granule membranes showed a simple ganglioside composition, thus offering a good model for the study of the metabolism and the role of gangliosides. The simple ganglioside composition of chromaffin granule membranes has allowed us to state that there are 60 mol phospholipid and 30 mol cholesterol per mol ganglioside.


The effect of calcium ion on the urea denaturation of immobilized bovine trypsin. The effect of calcium ion on the urea denaturation of trypsin has been investigated. By using trypsin immobilized on glass beads, all possibilities of autolysis occurring during the denaturation process are eliminated. It was found that in 8 M urea calcium ion markedly decreases the denaturation rate of the immobilized trypsin. Conversely, the presence of calcium ion markedly accelerates the rate of renaturation of denatured immobilized trypsin. Calcium may exert its stabilizing effect on the tertiary structure of the protein by coordination to the side chains of Asp 194, Ser 190 and the carbonyl group of Ser 139 (using the chymotryptic numbering system).


Effect of temperature on dynamic viscoelasticity during the clotting reaction of fibrin. The dynamic rigidity and loss moduli for fibrinogen-thrombin solution were determined during clotting in the temperature range between 15 and 45 degrees C. The rigidity of fibrin gel decreased with increasing clotting temperature, owing to the dissociation of cross-links. The rate constant of the dissociation of cross-links increased with increasing temperature. The rate constant of the cross-linking reaction increased and then decreased through a maximum with increasing temperature. It is explained by assuming that denaturation of fibrin occurs at high temperature. The irreversible denaturation becomes appreciable at high ionic strength. The activation energy and the enthalpy change for the cross-linking reaction of fibrin is about 35 and 15 kcal/mol, respectively. The enthalpy change for the reversible denaturation is about 46 kcal/mol.


[Structural characteristics (reassociation and melting kinetics) of kinetoplast DNA from Crithidia oncopelti]. A highly purified associate of kinetoplast DNA is isolated from C. oncopelti, and its physico-chemical properties are studied. Both native associate and its ultrasonic fragments are found to have a complex character of melting. 5-6 melting zones (3 of them being the main) are found on the melting curve. Analysis of reassociation kinetics of sonicated associate of kinetoplast DNA has revealed the presence of at least two components: fast reassociating component (65-70% of complex DNA), which reassociation kinetics is equivalent to the unique sequence with molecular weight of 2.3. - 10(6) daltons, and slow reassotiating component (15% of complex DNA), having reassociation kinetics equivalent to unique sequence of 26 - 10(6) daltons. The data obtained suggest that complex associate of kinetoplast DNA is heterogenous for its nucleotide sequence and base composition.


[Use of N-benzoyl-phenylalanyl-valyl-arginine p-nitroanilide and hirudin for the detection of enzymatic activity under prothrombin acylation by citraconic anhydride]. Acylation of bovine prothrombin by cytraconic anhydride results in the formation of the thrombin active site, which provides the degradation of highly specific thrombin substrate, N-bensoyl-Phe-Val-Arg p-nitroanilide. This reaction is inhibited with hirudin, highly specific thrombin inhibitor.


[Application of nitrocellulose Nitrocell S for preparation of mouse globin mRNA]. Two methods of chromatography were applied and compared to purify individual mRNA for mouse globin. In one case commercial product Nitrocell S was used, in another affinity chromatography on oligo-dT-cellulose was applied. Translation of purified mRNA was performed in the heterological wheat germ system in vitro. Products of translation were identified as alpha- and beta-chains of mouse globin. The data obtained permits us to recommend Nitrocell S as efficient and cheap chromatographic material for purifing poly-A-containing RNA.


Insulin antagonism of dexamethasone-induced increase or argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase activities in cultured fetal rat liver. In fetal rat liver explants maintained in organ culture, the addition of dexamethasone (4.6 X 10(-6)M) produced a 2- to 3-fold increase in the activity of argininosuccinate synthetase and in argininosuccinate lyase after 24 and 48 h of incubation. Insulin (1.8 X 10(-6)M) alone had no effect on the enzyme activities, but when incubated together with dexamethasone, it abolished the dexamethasone-induced increase of argininosuccinate synthetase and inhibited the argininosuccinate lyase activity by 80%, at 24 h. At 48 h, the inhibition of both enzyme activities was 68%. The antagonistic effect of insulin on the dexamethasone action is discussed in relation to the mechanism of perinatal enzyme induction. Hyperinsulinemia may interfere with the development of enzyme systems during the perinatal period. This could have relevance in the care of infants of diabetic mothers.


High maternal serum alkaline phosphatase as an index of meconial amniotic fluid. High level of maternal serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) (above 4 Bessey-Lowry units) was found to be indicative of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (AF). Simultaneous maternal serum AP and AF AP were measured in two groups: group A, the study group (78 cases), parturients with meconium-stained AF, and group B (29 cases), the control group, parturients with clear AF. A positive significant correlation was found between the level of AP in the AF and the level of AP in the parturient's serum, when meconium was present. It is our feeling that the high level of AP in the maternal serum is due to transfer of heat-labile AP from the meconium-stained AF, meconium being rich in AP. The mechanism has as yet to be elucidated.


[Modeling neuropathologic syndromes by creating generators of pathologically enhanced excitation in the hypothalamus of rabbits]. In the experiments on free behavior rabbits, tetanus toxin was injected into "pacemaker" motivational emotiogenic regions of the hypothalamus to form generators of pathologically enhanced excitation; this produced stable, long-term disorders in motivational-emotional behavior. The changes were manifested by intensification of the feeding behavior activity, including increase of the "secondary motivational reactions", intensification of the motor activity, excessive number of automatic masticatory movements, appearance of aggression, fear reaction and corresponding vegetative changes. The character of these reactions depended on the site of the toxin administration and on its dose. Formation of long-term generators of the pathologically enhanced excitation in the "pacemaker" motivational-emotiogenic centers of the hypothalamus by tetanus toxin can be used the modelling of psychopathological states in animals. The data obtained on the new model have confirmed the theory of generative mechanisms of neuropathological syndromes characterized by hyperactivity of the systems.


[Influence of intrauterine hypoxia on protein synthesis in different regions of the brain and on functioning of the histo-hematic barrier during late ontogenesis in rats]. Experiments were conducted on sexually mature rats subjected to acute hypoxia at a definite antenatal period. The penetration of six labeled amino acids into the tissue of different regions of the brain and their incorporation into proteins was studied. Inhibition of protein synthesis especially in the hypothalamus and the cerebral cortex was characteristic of the experimental animals; these findings correlated with disturbances of the conditioned reflex activity. Dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier for labeled amino acids and radioactive phosphorus was found in the experimental animals; as to the permeability of other histohematic barriers -- it was unchanged.


[Allergic reactions of pulsating cardiac cells in culture]. The authors describe a method of cultivation and growth peculiarities in a culture of beating cells of the human embryo heart. The influence of homologous anticardiac antibodies and of the ambrosia allergen antiambrosia antibody complex on the contracting cells of the heart of chick and duck embryos was studied in a culture. Pulsation of the cardiac cells was delayed and weakened under the effect of these factors; their vacuolization developed.