Levels of immunoglobulins and lysozyme in 10-year-old children from different regions and the condition of the lymphatic apparatus. I. Condition of tonsils in connection with some immunological parameters and different environment. The condition of tonsils was investigated and the levels of serum IgG, IgA, IgM and lysozyme were measured in 305 ten-year-old children from three localities of the Central-Bohemian Region. The tonsils were not enlarged in 30.8% of children, in 26.2% they were enlarged, in 35.5% furrowed and in 7.5% of children tonsillectomy had been carried out. Mean levels of IgA were significantly higher in two localities in children with enlarged tonsils, insignificantly lower in children with furrowed tonsils and lowest in tonsilectomized children. The difference in the distribution of IgM levels were significant between girls with enlarged furrowed tonsils. The levels of lysozyme were not correlated with the finding in the tonsils, but a significant difference was found in the groups with enlarged tonsils between the three locailties under observation and in the groups with furrowed tonsils between two localities. The importance of the findings observed is discussed from the point of view of a possible influence of air pollution in two of the three localities under study.


Similarity of the carbohydrate structures of H-2 and Ia glycoproteins. The glycopeptides produced by pronase digestion of two H-2K, two H-2D, and three Ia glycoprotein antigens were examined for size and charge. The glycopeptides derived from all of the antigens examined were found to have m.w. of 3250 +/- 200 daltons with a similar and variable composition of sialic acid residues. These data, when combined with the similarity in monosaccharide incorporation, suggest that the general parameters of the carbohydrate structure of the Ia glycoproteins from different I subregions and H-2 glycoproteins are highly similar if not identical.


Sera and the in vitro induction of immune responses. III. Adjuvant obtained from gliding bacteria with properties distinct from enteric bacterial lipopolysaccharide. We have extended our studies on the role of bacterial contamination in the generation of fetal calf sera which support primary in vitro humoral responses by cultured mouse spleen cells. Gram-negative, gliding bacteria were isolated from a strongly supportive sample of fetal calf sera. Medium conditioned by the growth of these microorganisms had strong adjuvant effects in cultures of mouse spleen cells supplemented with a non supportive, deficient sera. The adjuvant and mitogenic activities of the bacterial conditioned medium were then compared to those of bacterial lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella typhosa 0901 in cultures of LPS responder and LPS nonresponder spleen cells. From the results of these comparative studies, we conclude that the active factor(s) obtained from the gliding bacteria is an adjuvant with properties very distinct from those of highly purified enteric bacterial LPS.


Serodiagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection by antibody to core antigen. In a military population antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was found in 39% of acute hepatitis cases negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBS Ag) and in 96% of HBs Ag-positive cases. Persistence of antibody to HBs Ag (anti-HBs) in convalescent-phase sera was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in individuals with acute HBs Ag-positive hepatitis B than in patients with clinical HBs Ag-negative hepatitis B. The prevalence of anti-HBc in the absence of HBs Ag, anti-HBs, and clinical disease was 3.2% in this military population. In longitudinal studies of hepatitis B  infection, the presence of anti-HBc preceded anti-HBs and improved the ability to determine the onset of sublicnical infection. Anti-HBc is a useful serologic marker for the study of the epidemiology of hepatitis B and improves the efficiency of detection of hepatitis B virus infection.


Mouse teratomas and embryoid bodies: their induction and differentiation. Teratomas were induced by the transfer of mouse blastocysts (C3H and 129/J strains) and egg-cylinders (C3H) to extra-uterine sites. C3H and 129/J blastocysts cultured in vitro for 4 or 5 days could also form teratomas in extra-uterine sites. Four transplantable teratomas, or teratocarcinomas, were derived from C3H embryos; embryoid bodies were derived from each line. The differentiative capacity of a teratocarcinoma was shown to be similar whether it was maintained as a solid tumour or as embryoid bodies.


Differentiation of primordial germ cells in the embryonic development of Thermobia domestica, Pack. (Thysanura): an ultrastructural study. The primordial germ cells(PGCs) of Thermobia domestica undergo some morphological changes during the embryonic development. Most conspicuous are the changes in the ultrastructure of the nucleus, whose envelope shows a high degree of activity. Two types of vesicles bled off from the nucleus; the ones with the light interior are called the accessory nuclei, the others, with electron-opaque contents, have been termed the dense bodies. The nucleolus, initially clustered at the nucleus centre, undergoes dispersion and assembles again towards the end of embryonic development. At the same time, the sex differentiation of PGCs takes place. It is preceded by an increase in the activity of Golgi complexes and in the volume of lysosomes and lamellar bodies, the latter giving rise to lipid droplets. At the early stages of postembryonic development, preoogonia and prespermatogonia can readily be distinguished. Preoogonia have a wavy-surfaced nucleus and their cytoplasm contains dense bodies. In prespermatogonia, the nucleus is spherical with smooth envelope and there are no dense bodies in the cytoplasm. Throughout the period studied there occur nucleolus-like bodies and nuage material considered to be the germ-cell determinants in this species.


Properties of extra-embryonic ectoderm isolated from postimplantation mouse embryos. Extra-embryonic ectoderm isolated from the mouse embryo as late as 81/2 days post coitum can form cells with the morphological characteristics of trophoblast giant cells both in ectopic sites and in vitro. This similarity to the properties of ectoplacental cone tissue provides further support for the postulated common origin of both tissues from the trophectoderm of the blastocyst.


Effects of prenatal administration of hadacidin, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent, on the development of hamster fetuses. A single intraperitoneal injection of 1-2-5 g/kg body weight of hadacidin was teratogenic when administered to pregnant hamsters between days 8 and 11 of gestation. Both the frequency of malformation and resorption were related to the dose and time of hadacidin administration. The drug produced both gross and microscopic malformation in the fetus and impaired its general growth. The malformation involved craniofacial structures, central nervous system, respiratory, digestive and urinary systems, limbs and tail. Morphologically different types of cleft lip and cleft palate were related to the dose and time of hadacidin treatment. An association was observed between cleft lip, cleft palate and micrognathia on one hand, and between cleft palate and micrognathia on the other. Significance of association between the lip, the palate and the mandibular malformation was discussed and the hypothesis that human cases of Pierre Robin syndrome may result from an environmental assault was supported. It was suggested that the fetal weight and the microscopic analysis should be included in the criteria for the teratological drug safety evaluation procedures.


Replication of minute virus of mice in Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts. Minute virus of mice (MVM), a parvovirus, replicates in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Although replication of the virus cannot readily be detected by haemagglutination, it can be measured by plaque assay on mouse strain LM cells.


Heterogeneity among strains of Mycoplasmatales virus-laidlawii 2. Five isolates of Mycoplasmatales virus-laidlawii 2 (MV-L2) derived from bovine strains of Acholeplasma laidlawii were shown to differ in host range, plaque morphology and neutralization tests with MV-L2 antiserum. Cross-testing using virus resistant clones of A. laidlawii confirmed the heterogeneity of this group. Adaptation of viruses to sub-optimal host was demonstrated.


Interaction of non-specific inhibitor and rabies virus haemagglutinim. In order to elucidate the properties of an inhibitor of rabies virus haemagglutinin in normal animal sera, experiments were made with the HEP Flury strain and calf serum which contains the inhibitor. The results of physico-chemical treatment, gel-filtration and density analysis suggested lipoprotein involvement. When inhibitor and haemagglutinin were mixed, the separate activities could be recovered from the mixture by centrifuging on a sucrose density gradient. By contrast, neither haemagglutinin nor inhibitor could be recovered by this treamtnet when the inhibitor was added at the start of virus growth. The binding of inhibitor with rabies virus during virus growth seems irreversible and different from the binding of inhibitor with pre-formed rabies haemagglutinin.


Malonaldehyde content of food.

Malonaldehyde content of food. Several types of commercially available food both cooked and uncooked were tested for the presence of the carcinogenic initiator and mutagen, malonaldehyde, which is a breakdown product of unsaturated fatty acids. The thiobarbituric acid derivative of malonaldehyde from meat extract was identified either by thin layer chromatography or by gas chromatography after silylation. Malonaldehyde was also identified directly by gas chromatography. Among the meats purchased from supermarkets, beef had the greatest amounts of malonaldehyde. Turkey and cooked chicken had high levels. Most cheeses had only small amounts of malonaldehyde. In contrast, many vegetables and fruits had either minute amounts or no malonaldehyde.


Zinc requirement of the young guinea pig. The zinc requirement and signs of zinc deficiency of the young guinea pig were investigated. One-week-old Hartley guinea pigs were fed low-zinc, semipurified diets with either 30% EDTA-treated casein or 30% EDTA-treated soybean protein as the protein source. Zinc was supplemented as ZnCO3 at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 60 ppm (casein diets) and 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 60 ppm (soybean protein diets). Specificity of zinc deficiency was determined by rapid growth response to zinc supplementation following a 4-week period of zinc depletion. Significant growth retardation and decreased feed efficiency were seen in guinea pigs fed casein diets with 3 ppm zinc or less added, or soybean diets with 5 ppm zinc or less added. Plasma zinc concentration was significantly decreased in guinea pigs fed soybean diets supplemented with 20 ppm zinc or less. Less dramatic trends of decreased plasma zinc level were seen when low-zinc casein diets were fed. Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity showed significant decreases when 9 ppm zinc or less was added to casein diets and when 20 ppm zinc or less was added to soybean protein diets. Zinc (12 ppm) added to casein diets and 20 ppm zinc added to zinc soybean protein diets supported maximal growth rate for the 3-week duration of the feeding trials.


Premature contraction of the ductus arteriosus: a cause of foetal death. Necropsy findings are presented of two cases of foetal heart failure secondary to premature, in-utero contraction should lead to a redirection of the right heart output either through the pulmonary vascular bed or to the systemic circulation via the foramen ovale. The muscular pulmonary arteries, however, were not dilated, indicating that no excessive pulmonary flow had occurred. The increased volume load on the right heart may have rendered the foramen ovale restrictive, with right-sided heart failures as a consequence. Premature closure of the ductus arteriosus should be considered a cause of foetal or early neonatal death.


Neoplastic macrophages grown from human leukaemic monocytes. Leucocyte suspensions from some cases of acute myelogenous leukaemia produced large numbers of macrophages when cultured in vitro. The macrophages increased steadily in number during the first 1-2 wk of culture. The increase was partly derived from division of the macrophages themselves, partly from augmentation from supernatant cells not adherent to the surface of the culture flask. This augmentation occurred mostly in the first 24 hr of culture. The leukaemic macrophages had many features of normal macrophages as regards light microscopy, surface receptors, phagocytic activity and cytochemistry. Under the electron microscope, however, they had many abnormal characteristics, all of which have been recorded previously as features of malignant transformation. Cultures containing the abnormal macrophages and their precursor cells caused local solid tumours when injected into immune-deprived mice. The tumours were composed of rather uniform cells many of which resembled neoplastic reticulum cells. It is concluded that human leukaemic monocytes or promonocytes can develop into macrophages with ultrastructural features of malignancy. This appears to be the first demonstration of the development of neoplastic macrophages. It is suggested that some lymph node tumours of man may be composed of similar neoplastic macrophages and their precursor cells.


Ecology of Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft 1893) (Nematoda). II. Egg-releasing mechanisms and transmission. The egg-releasing mechanism and transmission ecology of Capillaria hepatica among Norway rat populations of the Baltimore Zoo were studied from 1972 to 1974. Nearly all adult rats were infected, while 65% of juveniles had infections. The mean egg count per liver was calculated to be 457,783 (N = 39 livers) and ranged from 11,270 to 1,400,000 eggs per liver. Data from the present study suggest that cannibalism serves as a primary egg-releasing mechanism and is a source of infection within the burrows. Increased infection rates among juveniles in spring support the hypothesis of maintenance of C. hepatica infections within the burrow system through cannibalism. Predation was responsible for scattered foci of infection throughout the study area and considered as a secondary source of infection. Decomposition was an important egg-releasing mechanism in secondary foci and in the warmer season when insects were active. However, of 849 carrion-associated insects and soil invertebrates collected from around decomposing rats, eggs of C. hepatica were found in only two species of beetles. This suggests a minor role for insects and soil invertebrates as egg disseminators.


Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of latentiated derivatives of 3-methyleneoxindole. Several latentiated derivatives of 3-methyleneoxindole were synthesized and examined for cytotoxic activity. The latentiated forms are represented by three general types which differ in leaving and cleaved groups. All are expected to be converted into 3-methyleneoxindole by bioactivation processes normally occurring in the cell. Two compounds were tested against L-1210 lymphoid leukemia, and six were tested against P-388 lymphocytic leukemia; all were inactive.


GLC determination of ethinamate and its hydroxy derivative in biological fluids. A sensitive, specific GLC assay was developed for the determination of ethinamate in plasma and its major metabolite, trans-4-hydroxyethinamate, in urine. The assay uses a mass internal standard of dimethylethinamate. Ethinamate is extracted from alkalinized plasma with dichloromethane. Urine samples require beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis prior to extraction of hydroxyethinamate. The dichloromethane is removed by evaporation, and the compounds are measured by GLC using a flame-ionization detector. By using GLC-chemical-ionization mass spectrometry, the compounds measured were identified as the intact ethinamates. Plasma and urine data are presented from a bioavailability study to demonstrate the utility of this method. From these data, the ethinamate plasma half-life was calculated as 1.9 +/- 0.3 hr.


Evaluation of anticonvulsants in barbiturate withdrawal. Four prototypic anticonvulsants were tested for their effectiveness against barbiturate withdrawal in cats. The effects were evaluated on a total of over 20 motor, autonomic and behavioral withdrawal signs. The animals were made physically dependent by 5 weeks of twice daily "maximally tolerable" sodium pentobarbital dosing intragastrically. Anticonvulsants were administered by intravenous infusion 25 hours after the final dose of chronic pentobarbital treatment when all withdrawal signs had become severe and grand mal type withdrawal convulsions were observed. Phenobarbital blocked withdrawal signs quite effectively at doses that caused no significant acute central nervous system depression. Trimethadione also reversed most withdrawal signs, but some signs persisted even at doses causing overt acute toxicity. Dimethadione was less effective than the parent compound, trimethadione, in reversing withdrawal but caused greater acute toxicity. Phenytoin was in effective for most withdrawal signs and some signs were made worse. The clonic phase of withdrawal convulsions was accentuated and the overall condition of the animals worsened. During withdrawal, the animals were less sensitive (tolerant) to phenobarbital but were more sensitive to acute toxicity from the other drugs tested.


Ionic membrane conductance during the time course of the cardiac action potential. 1. Membrane ionic current-voltage (I-V) relations of the frog ventricular myocardium were measured during the action potential with a new single sucrose gap voltage clamp technique. 2. The I-V relation is linear during the plateau and rapid repolarization phases of the action potential and during the development of the regenerative threshold of repolarization. 3. Time dependent I-V relation during a series of voltage clamp pulses of clamp initiation. 4. The membrane conductance is remarkably constant during the plateau and is about 85 mumhos/muF of membrane capacitance. 5. Chloride conductance is about 18% of the total ionic conductance during the plateau and is not time dependent. Two inward Cl-movement during a normal action potential is sufficient to approximately halve the action potential duration. 6. Membrane conductance did not change significantly when Ca2+ was omitted from the bathing medium. 7. Epinephrine increased the duration of the action potential and the total ionic conductance during the platiau in normal and Ca-free media. 8. Separation of Na+ and K+ currents in muscles bathed in 'zero' Ca2+, 'zero' Cl- solution indicates that the inward and outward currents are balanced to within 2% during the slow repolarization. 9. The results indicates that a fine balance between conductance changes cardiac action potential. The possibility of a cross ionic interaction in the heart cell membrane is suggested.


N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and UV induced mutants of the dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii. Mutant strains were chemically induced by treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) and UV irradiation. UV and NTG mutation rates were obtained that were both consistent with the organism being haploid. Three types of mutants were produced: (a) strains deficient in both beta- and gamma-carotene, the only carotenoids found in the wild type; phenotypes include albinos (translucent, dull white, "snow white") and cream-colored on agar as compared to the yellow-orange color of wild type colonies; (b) strains requiring adenine, guanine or cytosine in addition to the minimal medium for growth; (c) mutants that grow at a rate less than 40% of the wild type in minimal medium.


Twins with nonconcordant sexual aneuploidy. We present a pair of dizygotic twins with different abnormal karyotypes. The chromosome anomaly is a sexual aneuploidy in both cases: 48,XXXXY in one, 47,XXY in the second. The origin of the chromosomal anomaly and the hypothetical relation between sexual aneuploidy and twinning is discussed. It is concluded that further studies in twins are necessary to prove the not yet solved problems of non-disjunction and double ovulation.


Growth orientation of heart cells on nylon monofilament. Determination of the volume-to-surface area ratio and intracellular potassium concentration. A new method is described for orienting the growth of embryonic chick heart cells as thin annuli about nylon monofilament. Analytical measurements of cell water, intracellular potassium, cell volume, and cell surface area incorporate several new techniques and provide the quantitative basis for characterizing the respective cell types in the preparation. The measurements support the hypothesis that tissue culture methodology does not alter the morphological and physiological properties of cardiac muscle cells. The preparations are ideally suited for radiotracer studies since tissue mass can be increased while retaining a relatively short diffusional distance.


Effect of sugars on salt reception in true slime mold Physarum polycephalum. Physicochemical interpretation of interaction between salt and sugar receptions. Interaction between salt and sugar receptions in plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum was studied by using double-chamber method. Effect of sugars on salt reception was evaluated by measuring membrane potential and the motive force of tactic movement of the slime mold, where salt concentration in one compartment was increased successively with a fixed sugar concentration. Results are summarized as follows: (1) The presence of D-glucose, D-mannose, D-maltose, or sucrose in medium led to increase of the threshold concentration Cth, for salts (chlorides and nitrates of Li, Na, K), whereas D-ribose decreased the threshold for salt reception. D-galactose showed no appreciable effect on Cth of every salt species examined. No change in Cth for salt reception was observed until concentration of sugars exceeded their respective thresholds. (2) Double logarithmic plots of Cth for salts against sugar concentration followed different straight lines for different cations, whose slopes being closely correlated with the effects of lyotropic number of anions in the absence of sugars. (3) Plots of log Cth against the reciprocal of the absolute temperature, 1/T, gave linear relations, and the slopes of the straight line became small with increase of sugar concentration above their respective thresholds. Experimental results obtained here suggest that the structure of water at the interface of cell membrane plays an indispensable role in the interaction between salt and sugar receptions.


Compartmental analysis of potassium efflux from growth-oriented heart cells. Radioisotopic flux studies were initiated with a new preparation of growth-oriented heart cells to determine the contribution of heterogeneous cell types and the limitations of extracellular diffusion in quantitating the passive movement of potassium ions. The efflux of potassium-42 from contractile preparations, which contain two populations of cells, cardiac muscle and fibroblastlike, could be resolved into two components similar to that described for naturally occurring preparations of cardiac muscle. Compartmental analysis of the efflux data, using analog and digital computational methods, resolved the tracer kinetics into a slow compartment (k=0.015 min-1) associated with fibroblastlike cells and a fast compartment (k=0.067 min-1) associated with the cardiac muscle cells. The rate constants derived from compartmental analysis were independent of tracer equilibration and preparation dry weight. Analytical measurements of the preparations provided a quantitative basis for determing the transmembrane potassium fluxes from the tracer kinetics. Cardiac muscle cells stimulated at a rate of 150 min-1 in the presence of 5.4 mM external potassium were found to have a potassium efflux of 15.7 pmoles cm-2sec-1 whereas the value obtained for the fibroblastlike cells was 1.88 pmoles cm-2sec-1. Diffusional limitations of 42K efflux were analyzed for several important variables which can affect isotopic reflux, namely, transmembrane flux, cell volume-to-surface area and cell packing fraction.


Intracellular compartmentation of Na+, K+ and Cl- in the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell: correlation with the membrane potential. The intracellular distribution of Na+, K+, Cl- and water has been studied in the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell. Comparison of the ion and water contents of whole cells with those of cells exposed to La3+ and mechanical stress indicated that La3+ treatment results in selective damage to the cell membrane and permits evaluation of cytoplasmic and nuclear ion concentrations. The results show that Na+ is sequestered within the nucleus, while K+ and Cl- are more highly concentrated in the cell cytoplasm. Reduction of the [Na+] of the incubation medium by replacement with K+ results in reduced cytoplasmic [Na+], increased [Cl-] and no change in [K+]. Nuclear concentrations of these ions are virtually insensitive to the cation composition of the medium. Concomitant measurements of the membrane potential were made. The potential in control cells was -13.7 mV. Reduction of [Na+] in the medium caused significant depolarization. The measured potential is describable by the Cl- equilibrium potential and can be accounted for in terms of cation distributions and permeabilities. The energetic implications of the intracellular compartmentation of ions are discussed.


Sexual enhancement groups for dysfunctional women: an evaluation. Three groups of women with sexual dysfunction were evaluated pretreatment and posttreatment. Two of the groups (mixed sexual dysfunctions and primary orgasmic dysfunction) did not involve partner participation, while the third group (mixed sexual dysfunctions) included partners on two occasions. Results for all groups were similar. Of the 16 women involved, 14 became reliably orgasmic through self-stimulation. Generalization of orgasm to partner stimulation or coitus was less reliable. Although partner presence did not enhance behavioral outcome measures, highly significant findings were achieved in terms of enhanced marital and sexual satisfaction. The question of whether orgasm through coitus alone is a reasonable goal is raised and challenged.


Reassociation of complementary strand-specific adenovirus type 2 DNA with viral DNA sequences of transformed cells. Complementary strand-specific adenovirus DNA, either full length or from restriction enzyme cleavage fragments, was used to estimate the fractional representation and abundance of viral sequences in two adenovirus type 2 (Ad2)-transformed rat cell lines, A2F19 and A2T2C4. The reassociation method introduced is based on the linear relationship, after exhaustive hybridization, between the inverted fraction of hybrid DNA and the molar ratio of probe to cellular DNA in the reaction mixture. The amount of viral DNA in A2F19 cells represents 12 to 14% of the viral genome at a level of around seven copies per diploid cell equivalent. For the cell line A2T2C4, the pattern of integrated viral DNA sequences is more complex. With full-length Ad2 DNA strands as a probe, about 56% of the probe was represented in cellular DNA. When each of the four BamHI fragment strands of Ad2 DNA was used as a probe, the fraction of the viral DNA present also amounted to around 56% with one to five copies from different regions of the viral genome. The results demonstrate the advantage of using strand-specific viral DNA as a probe in reassociation analysis with denatured cell DNA. The method should be useful in any system in which complementary strand separation of viral DNA sequences can be achieved.


Two "early" mRNA species in adenovirus type 2-transformed rat cells. mRNA isolated from adenovirus 2-infected HeLa cells at early times during the productive cycle and from two lines of adenovirus 2-transformed rat embryo cells (F17 and T2C4) was fractionated on sucrose gradients after disaggregation. Viral mRNA species were identified by hybridization across such gradients with the separated strands of restriction endonuclease fragments of 32P-labeled DNA known to be complementary to adeovirus 2 "early" and adenovirus 2-transformed cell mRNA. mRNA transcribed from the left-hand 14% of the adenovirus 2 genome was found to comprise two species, 16 to 17S and 20 to 21S: the same sized mRNA's were present both at early times during productive infection and in the two transformed rat cell lines. Direct comparison of the sequences present in these two mRNA species by additional saturation hybridizations suggests that they are not related to one another. Three additional regions of the adenovirus 2 genome, all of which are located in the right-hand 40% of the adenovirus 2 genome, are complementary to early mRNA sequences: each of these appears to specify one major mRNA species of about 22S. Thus, five major species of adenovirus type 2 early mRNA have been identified. Two of these, copied from the left-hand 14% of the viral genome, are also present in adenovirus 2-transformed rat cells.


Titration of murine leukemia viruses with rat cell line RFL. Normal rat embryo cell (RFL) from syncytia after infection with murine leukemia virus. The assay for counting the number of syncytium foci produced in RFL cells is a sensitive method for a direct infectivity assay of murine leukemia virus.


[Evoked skin potential reflex during sleep (author's transl)]. The evoked skin potential reflex (SPR) to a 1-sec tone (80 dB, 1000 Hz) was examined on ten subjects during sleep. The magnitude of evoked SPR was larger than that of spontaneous SPR, and the per cent appearance of SPR showed a cyclic decrease and SPR was never absent in any sleep stages. Thus, contrary to previous studies, there was little inhibition of evoked SPR during sleep. Like spontaneous SPR, the evoked SPR showed the regional differences in waveform and in magnitude between the palm and the dorsal hand but there was no relation between sleep stages and SPR variables. The mechanisms underlying the evoked SPR would be too complex to be explained by a simple disinhibition model, and would involve some psychophysiological functions.


[Characteristics of disorders of renal function in circulatory insufficiency (according to I131-hippuran clearance and diurnal rhythm of the indicators of renal function]. The paper is based on a study of 270 cases of different stages of chronic circulatory insufficiency. A whole set of functional-diagnostic (radio-isotope including) methods of examination was employed to solve the task in question. It was found that one of the early signs of functional disorders in the kidneys in cases of circulatory insufficiency is, along with renal ischaemia, the pathology that is discovered during the examination of the functional phases of renograms. The characteristics of the circadian fluctuations of some renal function parameters are given. Two stages of the formation of the so-call renal syndrome in cases of chronic circulatory insufficiency were distinguished and discussed.


Surgical resection in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis with a combined approach through aorta and left ventricle. The operative technique and the immediate and long-term results are described in 49 patients who have undergone myectomy for IHSS. There was a 4 percent early and 12 percent late mortality rate and surviving patients have been followed for up to 13 years. The operation has resulted in a striking symptomatic improvement in most patients in association with relief of outflow obstruction and mitral regurgitation. Chronic atrial fibrillation was poorly tolerated but has not occurred as a late complication in any of the patients operated upon.


[The antigenic relationship between Torulopsis glabrata and Syringospora claussenii]. The agglutinating serum against Torulopsis glabrata antigen agglutinated Syringospora claussenii, and the serum against this fungus cross-agglutinated Torulopsis glabrata. Cross agglutinations and absorption experiments show that there is a common antigenic determinant between Torulopsis glabrata and Syringospora claussenii.


[Methanol metabolism by Pseudomonas oleovorans]. A typical facultative methylotroph Pseudomonas oleovorans oxidizes methanol to formaldehyde by a specific dehydrogenase which is active towards phenazine metosulphate. Direct oxidation of formalydehyde to CO2 via formiate is a minor pathway because the activities of dehydrogenases of formaldehyde and formiate are lwo. Most formaldehyde molecules are involved in the hexulose phosphate cycle, which is confirmed by a high activity of hexulose phosphate synthase. Formaldehyde is oxidized to CO2 in the dissimilation branch of the cycle providing energy for biosynthesis; this confirmed by higher levels of dehydrogenases of glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate during the methylotrophous growth of the cells. The acceptor of formaldehyde (ribulose-5-phosphate) is regenerated and pyruvate is synthesized in the assimilation branch of the hexulose phosphate cycle. Aldolase of 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate plays an important role in this process. Further metabolism of trioses involves reactions of the tricarboxylic acid cycle which performs mainly an anabolic function due to complete repression of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase during the methylotrophous growth. The carbon of methanol is partially assimilated as CO2 by the carboxylation of pyruvate or phosphoenolpyruvate. NH+4 is assimilated by the reductive amination of alpha-ketoglutarate.


Incidences and types of malformations in newborn infants. The incidence of fetal malformations in a teaching hospital was determined by prospective study of 10,454 consecutively born infants. One or more major malformation was detected in 424 (4-1%) and one or more minor malformation was detected in 680 (6-5%). Major malformations were more common in stillborn infants (14-1%), in those who died in the neonatal period (36-7%) and in those who were small for dates (8-6%). Small for dates infants were the only group with a significant increase in the incidence of minor malformations (9-7%). The most common major malformations involved the genital organs (17-8%), limbs (14-2%), heart (11-4%) and central nervous system (10-6%). The most common minor malformations involved the skin, hair and nails (67-3%), limbs (7-7%) and genital organs (5-5%). Small for dates infants should be carefully examined to exclude major and minor malformations.


2'(3'),5'-ADP inhibits initiation-dependent protein synthesis in a cell-free system from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. When tested in a poly(U)-dependent polyphenylalanine synthesizing system and in a postnuclear supernatant, both derived from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, 2'(3'),5'-ADP did not affect chain elongation of polypeptide synthesis. In a cell-free system which was dependent on initiation and programmed by natural mRNA, however, the amino acid incorporating activity was suppressed to about 10% of the control in the presence of 1 mM 2'(3'),5'-ADP. The inhibitor was shown not to interfere with the attachment of poly(U) to the small ribosomal subunit and with the formation of mRNA-80S ribosome complexes in a complete protein synthesizing system. The subsequent attachment of a 40S ribosomal subunit to the mRNA-80S ribosome complex and the formation of polysomes, however, was depressed by the inhibitor. The experimental results suggest that 2',(3'),5'-ADP inhibits initiation-dependent protein synthesis between monosome formation and the formation of the first peptide bond(s).


Red-cell and platelet fragmentation in idiopathic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. We investigated the abnormal small-particle spike discerned in the platelet-rich plasma of patients with severe idiopathic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. By electron microscopy, erythrocyte as well as platelet fragments were found in the 27,000 X g plasma sediment of 15 patients with severe disease. These fragments were not observed in the plasma sediment of 12 normal subjects, two healthy asplenic subjects, three patients with thrombocytopenia of nonimmunologic origin, and two with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in remission. Weak complement sensitization of red blood cells was noted in seven out of 12 patients with the disease. Coating of red blood cells with IgG or IgM was not detected in these patients. Whereas erythrophagocytosis was conspicuously absent, phagocytosis of intact platelets as well as platelet fragments and other cellular debris was frequently observed. Autoimmune mechanisms may be directed against erythrocytes as well as platelets in most cases of severe idiopathic autoimmune thrombocytopenia.


Chicken kidney cell culture in medium without serum. When chicken kidney cell (CKC) culture in a petri dish was prepared in medium with or without serum and incubated in a humidified incubator at 38 degreesC with no addition of CO2, monolayers of CKCs were formed completely on the 5th day of cultivation. Growth medium used for CKC culture was Eagle's minimum essential medium containing 0.3% of dehydrated tryptose phosphate broth. The number of cells in both cultures prepared in medium with or without serum was the same when measured on the 5th day of cultivation. Monolayers of CKC culture prepared in medium with or without serum were maintained up to 21 days of cultivation, while maintenance medium was changed every 4th day. The time of appearance and degree of cytopathic effect, plaque-forming ability, and propagation of some avian viruses were similar in both cultures prepared in medium with or without serum.


Noradrenergic involvement in dopamine-dependent stereotyped and cataleptic responses in the rat. Two animal models were used to investigate the effect of lowered central noradrenaline levels on two dopamine-dependent behavioural parameters in the rat. Newborn rats were injected with 6-hydroxydopamine or adult animals had bilateral electro-lesions placed in the region of the locus coeruleus in the brain stem. The effect of these two lesions on amphetamine- and apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviour and on haloperidol-induced catalepsy was studied. 1. Both 6-hydroxydopamine treatment at birth and bilateral locus coeruleus lesions specifically harmed the ascending dorsal noradrenergic pathway, causing significant decreases in cortical and limbic forebrain noradrenaline concentrations. 2. Both types of lesion had no apparent effect on stereotyped behaviour induced by either amphetamine and apomorphine. 3. Both types of lesions significantly enhanced the cataleptic response induced by varying doses of the neuroleptic agent haloperidol. 4. The results indicate that noradrenergic function may partly influence some dopaminergic mechanisms, and its possible site of action in terms of neostriatal and limbic populations of dopamine receptors is discussed.


[Angiographic diagnosis of vascular spinal abnormalities]. The authors describe 6 cases of intraspinal haemangiomas, their manifestations clinical and radiological treatment. In 2 cases vascular anomalies were located in the cervical segment, in 3 cases in the thoracic segment and in 1 case in both of these segments. The diagnosis was established by means of selective catheterization of posterior intervertebral arteries and lumbar arteries (4 cases), aortic arch angiography (1 case) and subclavian artery arteriography (1 case) by the Seldinger method. The authors describe in detail the method of selective sinal arteriographies and their role in establishing the extent and location of the lesions and the supplying arteries.


[Evaluation of the role of brain scintigraphy in pineal tumors (author's transl)]. From January, 1969 to December, 1975, 1700 patients underwent sequential brain scintigraphy with Tc-99-m-pertechnetate. All the scintigrams were obtained on a scintillation camera with high-resolution collimator in our clinic. Intracranial tumors were confirmed in 449 cases and 21 cases out of those were pineal tumors which were diagnosed by clinical symptoms, air study, angiography and Conray-or Myodil-ventriculography. In these pineal tumors, 14 (67%) out of the 21 cases had positive scan on scintigrams. All of our cases of teratoma (one case) and teratocarcinoma (two cases) showed clear abnormal uptake, though it had been reported that they do not tend to have positive results on scintigrams. We also performed scintigraphy on 11 cases out of the 21, both before and after 60Co radiation therapy. In the cases which showed either same grade or more increased abnormal uptake on scintigrams after radiation therapy, compared with that before radiation therapy, compared with that before radiation, their prognoses were poor. On the other hand, those cases which showed decreased abnormal uptake after radiation, have had a healthy daily activities. From these experiences, it may be concluded that brain scintigraphy is clinically valuable not only for making the diagnosis, but for evaluating the effect of radiation therapy and the prognosis in the cases of pineal tumor.


[Computerized tomography (CT), EMI scanner, in the diagnosis of acute traumatic intracranial hematomas (author's transl)]. Eighteen examinations of acute head trauma have been performed using computerized tomography (CT), EMI scanner, before and after operation in our department since September, 1975. Diagnostic findings in CT before emergency operations of 5 cases including epidural hematoma (1), subdural hematoma (2), intracerebral hematoma (1), and combined hematoma (1) were presented and the diagnostic value of this new method was compared with that of cerebral angiography. CT was proved to be highly valuable in the diagnosis of not only intracranial hematomas but also cerebral edema, cerebral contusion and other abnormalities of the brain structures in head injury.


[Interesting radiological and pathological findings of the internal carotid artery observed in a case of cavernous sinusitis (author's transl)]. A 47-year-old man was admitted to the neurosurgical department of Nagasaki University Hospital with complaints of high fever, deteriorated conciousness and nonpulsating exophthalmus on the left side. The first carotid angiography which had been done 2 days prior to admission, showed only an irregular narrowing in the cavernous portion of the left carotid artery. The right carotid angiogram did not show any recognizable abnormality. The second angiography which was performed 4 days after the admission, revealed an cylindrical aneurysmal opacification about 0.8 cm in diameter in the left intracavernous portion. The right angiography could not be done at that time. On the 47th hospital day, the third angiogram was performed. There noted again, the aneurysmal opacification in the left carotid artery and furthermore, the right carotid artery was occluded completely at its entrance into the cavernous sinus. On post-mortem examination, the cavernous sinus was filled with coagulated blood which drived from the ruptured left internal carotid artery. Microscopic examination revealed marked invasion of leucocytes to the wall of the internal carotid artery at the cavernous portion in both sides. These findings suggested that a mycotic aneurysm which resulted from the cavernous sinusitis ruptured into the left cavernous sinus and spelled blood compressed the opposite (right) carotid artery within the carvernous sinus which resulted in occlusion of the artery.


Cerebral commissurotomy for control of intractable seizures. Cerebral commissurotomy or the "split-brain" procedure may be a valuable adjunct to anticonvulsants for the control of seizures in people whose epilepsy cannot be relieved by anticonvulsants alone, and who are not candidate for the standard methods of surgery. Corpus callosotomy, a revised form of the usual division of many commissures, is a safer operation and appears to be equally effective. The complex clinical aspects of cure and treatment are emphasized.


Failure of tyramine to induce migraine.

Failure of tyramine to induce migraine. In a double-blind study of 80 migraine patients, headache was precipitated by ingestion of 200 mg tyramine and not by placebo in eight individuals, but retesting of seven of these patients did not produce the same results. Placebo produced as severe headache as tyramine and in an even larger number of patients. It is concluded that dietary tyramine alone is rarely, if ever, the major precipitant of a migraine attack, although the possibility remains that it has such a role in the presence of particular physiologic states.


Galactocerebrosidase activity in canine globoid leukodystrophy. In an investigation of canine globoid leukodystrophy, cerebroside beta-galactosidase activities were assayed in 24 brains from neonatal and older dogs and in 90 canine leukocyte pellets from nine samplings. The neonatal brains had significantly less enzyme activity than the brains of older dogs, which indicates a potential complication in making neonatal and fetal enzymatic diagnoses. For leukocytes, heterozygous activities averaged 51 percent and globoid leukodystrophy activities 18 percent of mean enzyme activity of normal leukocytes. Variability of leukocyte enzyme activities among the nine samplings was large, but within each sample, variability per genotypic category was moderate. A statistical model was developed to facilitate enzyme diagnosis in the dog and, by implication, in human globoid leukodystrophy and other sphingolipidoses.


Cerebral revascularization for transient ischemic attacks. Thirty-one patients with cerebral transient ischemic, attacks and ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion without contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion or stenosis were treated with a surgical anastomosis between a superficial temporal artery and a cortical branch of the middle cerebral artery of the symptomatic hemisphere. The anastomosis was successful in 28 patients. Recurrent transient ischemic attacks were abolished in 23 patients and reduced in three. Two patients, one with a patent anastomosis, had strokes during the follow-up period. Of seven patients who refused the operation, two had strokes, two noted a reduction of transient ischemic attacks, two noted no change, and one became asymptomatic.


Experimental serotonin myopathy.

Experimental serotonin myopathy. One hundred and eight Wistar rats were injected with serotonin (20 mg per kilogram of body weight intraperitoneally) or imipramine hydrochloride (20 mg per kilogram intraperitoneally), or both, in a single cycle or in multiple (up to 18 weeks) weekly cycles. In contrast to previous reports, a characteristic myopathy was produced with serotonin alone, identical to that produced by serotonin and imipramine in combination. Imipramine alone produced no significant change. The myopathy produced was characterized by (1) preferential damage to myofibers with high oxidative capacity (types I and IIA), (2) prominent regenerative activity occurring as early as 48 hours, and (3) degeneratio of capillary endothelium (thickening, vacuolar degeneration, proliferation of marginal folds, dissolution of mitochondria). Small groups of degenerating fibers and increased connective tissue were not observed. There was no loss of myofibers or fat replacement. The changes suggested repeated acute insults followed the complete recovery. These observations suggest that although the pathogenesis of serotonin and serotonin-imipramine myopathy is primarily ischemic, it is not a satisfactory model of human Duchenne muscular dystrophy.


Memory and cognitive function in man: does the cholinergic system have a specific role? Interference with cholinergic function produces disruption of memory/cognitive (M/C) performance in both animals and man. It is uncertain whether this disruption is due to a specific relation of cholinergic neurons to M/C functions, or whether the effect is nonspecific, resulting either from alteration of alertness and attention, or from a "mass action" effect, with loss of functioning neurons. Scopolamine was given to normal subjects to produce an M/C impairment. Half the test subjects then received physostigmine and half d-amphetamine. Physostigmine, a pharmacologic antagonist of scopolamine, markedly improved M/C functions; amphetamine failed to produce M/C improvement, although alertness was improved, and activity in catecholaminergic neurons presumably increased. This comparison supports a specific role for cholinergic neurons in M/C processes. Possible mechanisms of cholinergic neural functioning in memory include plasticity of cholinergic synapses, as well as other acetylcholine-depended operations of the limbic system crucial to memory.


Intracranial involvement of giant-cell arteritis. Two cases of giant-cell arteritis with cerebral arteritis are presented. The clinical situation and the suggestive but nonspecific angiographic features make the antemortem diagnosis possible. Greater awareness of this entity will facilitate its diagnosis and the institution of effective steroid therapy.


[Patterns in the cellular organization of ovule growth in the pine, Pinus silvestris L. I. Growth processes in endosperm]. The dynamics of growth processes was studied in the endosperm of Pinus silvestris during the year of fertilization. The growth of endosperm is described by an diauxic curve where the period of delay corresponds, by time, to fertilization. The growth of tissue proceeds, mainly, at the expense of cell proliferation. The mitotic activity is preserved in the endosperm till the beginning of formation of reserve substances in the cells; cell division and elongation occur simultaneously. The unfavourable environmental conditions influence the mitotic activity of cells only. The size of fully grown cells is relatively constant and somewhat decreases later, during maturation. One can distinguish rather early those regions in the endosperm where the cell size is 2-3 times less than in the rest tissue; the size of cells and nuclei in these regions suffers only insignificant changes during the growth. The large nuclei are observed in the beginning of the cell endosperm formation and, then, their size decreases 1.5-2 times; the second increase in nuclear size in the endosperm is observed during the period prior to the formation of reserve substances.


Sickle cell anemia in the newborn.

Sickle cell anemia in the newborn. The clinical presentation of homozygous sickle cell disease is unusual in the neonatal period. Recently, we have encountered a newborn infant whose disease was apparent at birth and who died at 5 days of age. The findings at autopsy suggested a sickle cell crisis with multisystem involvement that was present prior to birth. Laboratory findings confirmed homozygous sickle cell disease without the presence of elevated levels of hemoglobin S. The cause of the unusually severe clinical course of the disease in our patient is the object of the discussion.


DDT and DDE in the blood and diet of eskimo children from Hooper Bay, Alaska. An analysis of the levels of DDT and DDE in the blood of some Alaskan Eskimo children and in the fat of some local marine mammals taken for food suggests that the children's pesticide burdin is only modestly lower than that of other American children. Authors suggest that some other food source, perhaps packaged food, supplies a portion of the dietary chlorohydrocarbon pesticide.


Site of renal phosphate reabsorption. Micropuncture and microinfusion study. Using modified microinfusion and free flow micropuncture techniques in the same intact and acutely thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) Munich-Wistar rats the nephron sites for phosphate reabsorption were reinvestigated. In intact animals, 62% of filtered phosphate was reabsorbed in the proximal tubule but none in the loop of Henle, here defined as the nephron segment between the last accessible proximal and the first distal convolution. Delivery of phosphate to the superficial distal tubule significantly exceeded urinary phosphate excretion but no phosphate reabsorption could be detected in the terminal nephron by distal microinfusions of radioactively labelled phosphate (32P). In TPTX rats, proximal phosphate reabsorption was enhanced and there was marked phosphate reabsorption in the loop of Henle. Similarly, 32P microinfused in the late proximal tubule was almost completely reabsorbed. Again, no phosphate tracer outflux was detected after distal microinfusion. It is concluded that phosphate reabsorption is confined to the proximal tubule and the loop of Henle.


The effect of long-term stimulation of fast muscles on their blood flow, metabolism and ability to withstand fatigue. Chronic stimulation of fast rabbit muscles (tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus and the peroneal muscle group) at a frequency naturally occurring in nerves to slow muscles increased their ability to withstand fatigue. Isometric tension decreased during a 10-min period of contractions at 4 Hz by 75% in control muscles, but only 55% in muscles chronically stimulated for 4 days, and 23% in muscles stimulated for 28 days. Chronic stimulation had little effect on resting blood flow, oxygen or glucose consumption. The output or consumption of lactate and free fatty acids (FFA) at rest were also unaffected. The glycogen content was regularly increased, and was apparent after only 2 days of stimulation. The activity of fatty acid activating enzyme was increased after 28 days. During a 10-min period of isometric contractions at 4 Hz, there was a markedly greater increase in blood flow and oxygen consumption in muscles stimulated for 14-28 days than in control muscles; lactic acid output was lower in muscles stimulated for 28 days, and the uptake of FFA was significantly higher. It is therefore suggested that muscles chronically stimulated for 14-28 days use fats as the main source of energy during isometric contractions. The predominantly oxidative metabolism is probably facilitated by the higher density of capillaries. The latter also enables more efficient delivery of oxygen, and therefore smaller fatiguability, already after 4 days of chronic stimulation.


Evidence for phosphate as a mediator of functional hyperaemia in skeletal muscles. Maximal twitch contractions of fast muscles of the cat caused an increase in phosphate concentration in the venous plasma from them: this efflux was greater as the contraction frequency was increased. At any given frequency of contraction, the phosphate efflux from contracting gastrocnemius was less than that from tibialis anterior and extersor digitorum longus, which have a higher proportion of fast fibres and exhibit greater functional hyperaemia. Soleus muscles, when contracting, released hardly any additional phosphate, except in the one experiment in which the muscle exhibited a functional hyperaemia. There was thus a consistent relationship between the extent of functional hyperaemia and phosphate efflux in different muscles and within any one group of muscles. Inorganic phosphate, given close arterially as NaH2PO4, was shown to be vasodilator.NaH2PO4 was much more potent than Na2HPO4, though this did not seem due simply to the associated change of pH. The functional hyperaemia of fast muscles could be matched, qualitatively and quantitatively, by injections or infusions of NaH2PO4. The possibility is discussed that the contraction hyperaemia of fast muscles is functionally related to phosphate release into the interstitial fluid during contractions.


Activity of neurons in the deep layers of the cat superior colliculus correlated with slow eye movements. In the encéphale isolé cats in state of drowsiness and sleep and in darkness, the spike activity of a population of neurons in the superior collicules is modulated in relation to the slow movement of the eyes. These neurons are all located in the deep layers of the colliculus and belong to a larger population which had been previously to discharge in correspondence with saccadic movements. The correlation between neuronal activity and slow movements is not present continuously and may be obscured by a number of factors. Also when the correlation is present there is always some degree of independence between strength and time course of the discharge on one side, and extent and time course of movement on the other.


Hypertension in rats with hereditary diabetes insipidus. The role of age. The effect of age, sex and salt intake on the hypertension produced in homozygous (DI) and heterozygous (non-DI) Brattleboro rats and Long Evans rats was studied. The left kidney was removed at the age of 25, 35, 50 and 80 days (UNX 25, UNX 35, UNX 50, UNX 80), and 0.6% NaCl solution or water was offered as drinking fluid. In UNX DI rats drinking saline the mean value of blood pressure (BP) exceeded 150 torr. The highest values of BP were observed in DI UNX 25 females while no hypertension occurred in rats UNX 80. There was no correlation between individual values of BP and saline consumption in DI females with hypertension. However, individual BP values correlated with the urinary Na+/K+ ratio measured in the course of 24 h of water deprivation, due to age-dependent sodium excretion the values of which were highest in the UNX 25 group. Hydronephrosis was present in all DI rats with manifest hypertension. In hypertensive animals, BP values, Na+/K+ ratio and the frequency of hydronephrosis exhibited the same age dependence. The role of age and adaptability to the increased saline intake in the susceptibility of DI rats to experimental hypertension is discussed.


A technique for recording local blood flow and neuronal activity with a single microelectrode. A technique is presented for recording both local blood flow, by means of hydrogen clearance method, and neuronal activity of the cat's cortex using a single microelectrode. The requirements of electrodes for recording cerebral blood flow are different from those for recording extracellular spikes. Only electrodes within a small range of impedance (measured at 10 Hz) are suitable to record both. A bridge method is used for the recordings. The bridge signal is split in order to amplify cell activities and H2 responses separately. Three examples demonstrate the method and the importance of appropriately selected electrodes.


[Phalloidine intoxication. Results of various forms of treatment in 47 patients]. The effectiveness of three plasma cleansing techniques (exchange transfusion, peritoneal dialysis and plasmapheresis) is studied in the treatment of phalloides intoxication. The severity of the latter is dependent upon the amount of toxin ingested, with can now be measured by radio-immunology, as well as the fixation of the toxin in the liver. Methods to ensure its elimination must be instituted as soon as possible. Thus in 43 patients who had consumed more than 50 g of fresh fungi, there were no deaths amongst those treated during the first 36 hours and 7 deaths out of 22 patients treated late. It is not yet possible to define the respective values of each method.


Central action of narcotic analgesics. I. Catalepsy and stereotypy in rats and narcotic analgesics. The action of four analgesics, belonging to various pharmacological groups (morphine, codeine, fentanyl, pentazocine), was investigated in rats in tests for catalepsy and stereotypy, the tests depending on dopaminergic brain mechanisms. Interactions of the analgesics with a number of compounds known to affect dopaminergic brain functions in tests of catalepsy and stereotypy were also studied. In some experiments nalorphine, an antagonist of narcotic analgesics, was used. Morphine, codeine and fentanyl produced catalepsy, while pentazocine, at doses up to 60 microgram/kg, did not produce this effect. Reserpine, 2 mg/kg 3 hr before drugs, potentiated catalepsy produced by analgesics, while haloperidol, 0.2 mg/kg, 2 hr earlier, did not influence morphine and codeine catalepsy, but moderately potentiated fentanyl-induced catalepsy. alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine potentiated the cataleptogenic action of fentanyl and codeine, and also, less markedly, the action morphine. D-amphetamine (2.5-10 mg/kg) and apomorphine (5 mg/kg) moderately antagonized the catalepsy induced by analgesics, while atropine did not affect it. Nalorphine, 5 mg/kg, effectively abolished the catalepsy produced by narcotic analgesics, but did not affect that produced by neuroleptics. Morphine, codeine and fentanyl slightly inhibited apomorphine stereotypy, and evidently antagonized stereotypy produced by amphetamine. Pentazocine did not affect or slightly potentiated the both types of stereotypy. It is concluded that morphine, codeine and fentanyl, in contrast to pentazocine, inhibit behavioral activities depending on central dopaminergic functions in the rat. The mechanism of this action is most probably indirect, and seems to be related to the dopaminergic presynaptic functions.


Influence of fibrinogen degradation products on the action of amphetamine in the central nervous system. Fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) in a dose dependent manner potentiated the action of amphetamine in the tests for locomotor activity (Knoll's motimeter) and stereotypy. They also antagonized the haloperidol-induced catalepsy. FDP increased the level of amphetamine 90 min after the drug administration, and depressed it 120 min after the treatment. FDP slightly depressed the level of dopamine, and increased that of homovanillic acid in the striatum. They also potentiated the accumulation of noradrenaline in the hippocampus, produced by amphetamine, but did not affect the concentrations of dopamine and serotonin. It is suggested that the change in action of amphetamine under the influence of FDP depends on the direct effect of the peptides on amphetamine level in the brain, and on the level of some neuromediators.


Pseudomembranous enterocolitis complicating ampicillin therapy. A case of fatal pseudomembranous enterocolitis associated with ampicillin therapy is described and possible mechanisms for its production discussed.


Valvar aortic stenosis with unusual features. This case report documents the co-existence of valvar aortic stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with systemic hypertension and calcific mitral annulus, a combination which has not hitherto been reported. It is the purpose of this paper to help assess the true incidence of the co-existence of aortic stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.


["Immuno-allergic" complications of rifampicin therapy]. From 8 cases of immuno-allergic accidents attributed to Rifampicine, the authors review the literature on the subject. The "flue like" syndrome is the most frequent and characteristic of those accidents, worsened by haematological and renal involvements. These accidents probably belong to a pathology of immuno-complexes in relaiton with the production of anti-Rifampicine antibodies. Among the different means of in vitro diagnosis, the test with the anti-complement antiglobulin is the most reliable, though not always in good correlation with clinical signs. Though rare and most often benign, these accidents should lead to prudence in treating recurrent tuberculosis or reusing Rifampicine after a momentary interruption.


The effect of testosterone and cyproterone acetate on the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid in brain areas of aggressive and non-aggressive mice. Mice which had been housed in groups were introduced into the home cages of isolated mice and the aggressive defensive behaviour assessed. The grouped mice were chronically treated with testosterone, cyproterone acetate or arachis oil. The concentration of GABA was determined in 10 regions following the last behavioural assessment. The grouped mice which were treated with testosterone or with the anti-androgen, cyproterone acetate, were subjected to fewer aggressive attacks by the isolated mice thatn the grouped controls. The concentration of GABA in particular brain areas appears to depend on the degree of aggressive behaviour exhibited, the type of environment into which the mouse is introduced, the hormone treatment, and the housing conditions.


[Determination of human blood and urine progestins by the method of competitive protein binding on the basis of guinea pig transprogestin]. The use as a testing system of transprogestin or of progesterone-binding protein (obtained from a pregnant guinea pig) with a high specificity to progesterone and a number of its affiliated metabolites increased the sensitivity of the method considerably, permitting to determine progestins in the blood and urine of nonpregnant women (at various phases of the sexual cycle) and in men. Dynamics of the given progestins in the urine correlates with the changes of their blood level and permits complete and objective assessment of the ovarian and placental functions in women with various physiological conditions.


[Changes in the indicators of hormonal activity of the adrenal glands, sympathetic-adrenal system and hemodynamics in healthy persons at different times during the 24-hour period]. The following were studied in 24 healthy men aged from 20 to 40 years: circadian rhythm of catecholamines and their precursors production, 17-ketosteroids, 17-oxycorticosteroids, variational pulsometry indices, arterial pressure parameters, resilient-viscous properties of large arterial vessels and arterioles, indices characterizing the mechanical activity of the myocardium. Comparison of the results obtained indicated that, although there existed no complete correlation between these indices, there proved to be a nocturnal tendency to reduction of noradrenaline and dopamine production, to reduction of 17-ketosteroids and 17-oxycorticosteroids, along with rarefaction of cardiac contractions, increased variation in the rhythm, and diminution of arterial pressure and cardiac output parameters. Reverse changes were noted during the day-time.


Effects of dietary tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan on aggression in mice. Dietary amino acid regimens designed to enhance catecholaminergic and serotonergic functioning were found to differentially affect territorial-induced attacks in mice. Male albino mice were maintained on a semi-synthetic 12% casein protein diet for 2 weeks, then switched to diets modified by the addition of a 4% L-amino acid supplement, or 4% casein (control). Measures of aggressive behavior and open-field locomotor activity were obtained before and after the dietary supplements were administered. Resident mice fed supplements of L-tyrosine displayed a marked increase in the number of attacks on intruders and shorter attack latencies, but their locomotor activity was unaffected. L-phenylalanine supplements alone or in combination with L-tyrosine reduced the latency to attack and increased motility but did not affect the number of attacks. As a whole, the group of animals fed L-tryptophan showed no changes in aggression or motility.


The interfacing of constituencies.

The interfacing of constituencies. Within a public human service organization interaction occurs among diverse constituencies such as clients, donors, and professionals. Several recent trends affecting relationships among constituencies are identified and problems emerging from these trends are considered. Since various changes within human service organizations have occurred during the 1960s and early to mid-1970s, one may speculate about future developments which may result from these trends. It is suggested that each constituency must adapt to changing circumstances in a spirit of cooperation if the organization is to be effective.


Reentry: a study of the movement of young drug users toward mainstream society. In the middle 1960s hundreds of thousands of young people dramatically left American mainstream society to join the hippie movement. Almost ten years after the height of the hippie phenomenon, there has been little longitudinal investigation of the predictions by social scientists that these young people would be lost from future mainstream involvement. In the late 1960s, through a study of young drug users in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, my colleagues and I began to assess the degree of movement taken by hippie drug users toward mainstream society. This research focused on the differential outcome of three groups of young drug users, approximately two and a half years after they were initially studied.


Elbow fat pads with new signs and extended differential diagnosis. Although fat pad signs are classically associated with fracture, there are many nontraumatic disease processes which lead to positive fat pad signs. Any intraarticular fluid or tissue accumulation may result in an abnormal posterior fat pad. A "paradoxical" positive posterior fat pad sign may occur in some instances of extraarticular disease. An extended differential diagnosis is presented.


Bile acid concentrations in systemic and portal serum in presumably normal man and in cholestatic and cirrhotic conditions. Total bile acid concentration was determined in systemic and portal serum and in liver tissue from patients with presumably normal liver function, and from patients with extrahepatic cholestasis. Systemic and portal serum bile acids were also determined in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. In 5 patients, in whom a portal catheter was inserted through the umbilical vein, the diurnal variation in systemic and portal serum bile acid concentration was studied. In patients with presumably normal liver function the fasting systemic serum bile acid concentration was 4.8+/-0.5 mumol times 1(-1), and the portal concentration was 12.9+/-1.5 mumol times 1(-1). In cholestasis and liver cirrhosis the systemic and portal bile acid concentration was substantially elevated. The bile acid concentration gradient between systemic serum, portal serum, liver tissue, and hepatic bile was 1:3:80:2600 in the patients with normal liver function. In both the cholestatic and cirrhotic condition the systemic and portal serum bile acid concentration was equilibrated. Postprandially both the systemic and portal bile acid concentration increased, but the gradient between these concentrations was unchanged. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that portal and systemic serum bile acid concentrations are determined by the intestinal absorption rate in subjects with normal liver function and by the hepatic and renal clearance capacity in cholestatic and cirrhotic conditions.


Ultrasound emission in infant rats as an indicant of arousal during appetitive learning and extinction. Infant rats rewarded for crawling by being allowed to suckle on the dry nipple of an anesthetized dam showed a decreasing rate of ultrasound production during acquisition and an increasing rate during extinction. These results suggest that infant rats can be stressed and are aroused as a result of successive nonrewards just as adult rats are. In addition, these results do not support the hypothesis that infant rats lack inhibitory mechanisms related to poorly developed neural centers.


Defective phagocytosis of isolated rod outer segments by RCS rat retinal pigment epithelium in culture. Retinal pigment epithelium cultured from normal rats phagocytizes large amounts of rod outer segment fragments isolated from normal rats and from RCS rats with inherited retinal degeneration. Cultured RCS rat pigment epithelium rarely ingests outer segment material, although the cells extend cellular processes around fragments of either type. Both normal and RCS pigment epithelium phagocytize polystyrene spheres. This demonstrates that RCS rat pigment epithelial cells contain a defect in the mechanism for phagocytizing outer segments.


Temporal lobe aggression in rats.

Temporal lobe aggression in rats. Although reports of aggressive behavior in temporal lobe epileptics are common, it has proven difficult in clinical settings to gain the experimental control necessary to systematically investigate temporal lobe aggression or even to provide unequivocal evidence of its existence. Increases in aggressive behavior were observed in rats with experimentally induced epileptic foci in temporal lobe structures but not in control rats or those with foci in the caudate.


Capgras' syndrome presenting as postpartum psychosis. A 25-year-old white woman was hospitalized with a postpartum psychosis presenting as an affective disorder with the delusion of Capgras. She was treated with electroconvulsive therapy with resolution of her affective and delusional states.


Leprechaunism (Donohue's syndrome) in a low birth weight infant. A 910 gm infant with leprechaunism, the smallest reported infant with this syndrome, was described. Marked discrepancies were noted between gestational age as assessed by physical examination, bone and dental roentgenographic studies, and renal histology. Radiographic and pathologic features of this syndrome were discussed. Failure to thrive characterized the course of this infant despite adequate caloric intake. The precarious nature of these infants and difficulties encountered in obtaining adequate studies to delineate the cause of this syndrome were emphasized.


Murine typhus in a Malaysian village.

Murine typhus in a Malaysian village. A high prevalence of murine typhus was found in the human and rodent populations of Senaling, West Malaysia. In addition to 2 index cases which prompted the investigation, 45% of the humans and 35% of the rodents had IFA titers of 1/50 or greater. Serological studies provided evidence of recent infections in 3 human subjects. In a control group of Malaysian soldiers IFA titers of 1/50 or greater were found in only 13 (5%) of 265 sera tested.


Granulomatous mastitis. A review of 5 cases. A review of 67 cases diagnosed as granulomatous, tuberculous or fungal mastitis revealed 5 cases which were similar, clinically and histopathologically, to the new entity of granulomatous mastitis described by Kessler and Wolloch. The 5 patients were young women of childbearing age, 4 with breast lesions clinically simulating carcinoma of the breast. Histopathological examination showed granulomata and abscess formation confined to the breast lobules. No acid-fast bacilli or fungi were demonstrated. Granulomatous mastitis may be caused by a chemical reaction associated with contraceptive pill therapy, or may have an auto-immune or infective aetiology.


Nonpenetrating trauma to the thoracic aorta. Twenty-seven patients underwent surgical repair for nonpenetrating injuries of the thoracic aorta. Emergency operation was performed in 19 patients with acute aortic injury and there were 12 survivors. Left heart bypass (LHB), external shunts, and simple aortic cross-clamping were methods employed during repair. All operative deaths occurred in the left heart bypass group. Morbidity, hospital stay, operative time, and blood loss all were markedly less in patients repaired with an external shunt or simple cross-clamping. Systemic heparinization related adversely to mortality and morbidity. Eight patients had repair of chronic post-traumatic descending aortic aneurysms. One of these had previous repair elsewhere with paraplegia and subsequent mycotic aneurysm at the graft repair site. He presented to us with massive hemoptysis. Surgical correction in the chronic group was performed using either left heart bypass, external shunt, or simple aortic cross-clamp with graft interposition. The only death occurred in a patient repaired on left heart bypass.


The fetal alcohol syndrome in mice: an animal model. CBA and C3H female mice were maintained on liquid diets--Metrecal plus ethanol--containing 15-35% ethanol-derived calories. These diets, which resulted in alcohol blood levels of 73-398 mg/100 ml blood in nonpregnant females, were the sole sustenance for the females for at least 30 days before and throughout gestation. Females were killed on day 18 of gestation and offspring examined for skeletal and soft tissue anomalies. Prenatal death and maldevelopment increased with the level of alcohol intake. Deficient occiput ossification, neural anomalies, and low fetal weight occurred with low ethanol diets, and cardiac and eye-lid dysmorphology with higher ethanol diets. This pattern of malformations, which exhibited both a dose-response effect and strain differences in susceptibility, indicated that chronic maternal alcoholism is embryolethal and teratogenic in mice.


The acardiac anomaly.

The acardiac anomaly. Karyotype analysis of a premature human acardiac twin disclosed normal chromosomes. A review of previous cytogenetic, placental and animal studies suggests that chromosomal errors are not the cause of the acardiac anomaly. Rather, they point to the placental vascular anastomoses as the principal pathogenetic event.


[Cyathostominosis: a form of severe strongylidosis (author's transl)]. A form of strongyle infection in young horses and ponies, observed during the period from November to May, is described. Large numbers of larvae of Cyathostominae in the fourth or early fifth stage of development are found to be present in the (often watery) faeces. This excretion of larvae is not affected by treatment with anthelmintics. A large number of these patients die from the sequelae of verminous enteritis.


Growth behavior of ascites tumor cells in three-dimensional agar culture. Growth behavior in vitro of ascites tumor cells was examined for a model study on the invasion in cancer. For this purpose three-dimensional agar culture was used. Seventeen strains of tumor cells were used. These tumor cells grow floating in ascites as single isolated cells (single cell strain) or forming different per cent of cell aggregates (island type strain). Plating efficiencies of tumor cells were variable, depending on the kinds of tumor stain. It was noted that FM3A cells of the cultured cell line showed almost 100% plating efficiency irrespective of the number of cells inoculated. Tumor cells formed 3 types of colony; that is solid type, mushroom-shaped and disk-shaped colony. These three types of colony were observed in all the tumor strains tested, depending on the position in agar layer. The cells of single cell strains showed the tendency to form loose colonies in which cell contact was loose and cells were easy to liberate from the periphery of the colony. The cells of island type strains showed the tendency to form packed colonies in which cell contact was tight. Growth behavior of cells of ascites tumor in agar medium showed good correlation with that in susceptible animals.


[New cell line of mouse ependymoblastoma]. A new cell line derived from transplanted mouse ependimoblastoma consists of typical fibroblast-like cells with well-defined pleomorphism. The line is characterized by a rapid increase and decrease of proliferative activity, by a short stationary phase and early degeneration. The average time of themitotic cycle was determined as being 22-24, tG1-11-12, ts-8-9, tG2-3 and tM-near 0.9 hours. The cytophotometrical evaluation of DNA content revealed two cell subpopulations with different ploidy, both in culture and in tumor in vivo. As compared to the original tumor cells, the cultured cells differ in wider variability of DNA content and a higher average ploidy per nucleus.


[Effect of colcemid on the radial spreading of fibroblasts in culture]. Effect of colcemide upon the spreading of mouse embryo fibroblast-like cells on the substrate was studied with the aid of time-lapse microcinematography and scanning electron microscopy. On the glass, colcemide did not prevent the transition of cells into a well-attached state, however, the time needed for this transition was seen considerably increased as compared with the control cultures. Intermediate stages of spreading on flat glass had the following abnormal features in colcemide-containing medium: a) shapes of cytoplasmic outgrowths formed by the cell were altered and their distribution along the cell border appeared less regular; b) partial detachments of the attached parts of cells occurred very frequently; c) the spreading of various parts of the cells was not correlated. Possible mechanisms of colcemide action on  the cell spreading are discussed, and it is suggested that intracellular structures sensitive to colcemide are essential for coordination of reactions that occur in various parts of the cell in the course of spreading.


[Electron microscopic study of interphase in a culture of fibroblast-like cells]. The analysis of the ultrastructural changes of fibroblast-like cells of Chinese hamster at different periods of the cell cycle demonstrates that the most reliable morphological criteria for identification of different periods of the interphase are changes of the nuclear chromatin and nucleolus and the dynamics of development of the daughter centrioles. No prominent changes of the morphology of the protein-synthesizing apparatus during interphase were noted.


[Dynamics of 3H-thymidine and 3H-deoxycytidine incorporation into the nuclei of a rabbit kidney cell culture during the S period]. Using a combined cytophotometric-autoradiographic method a study was made of 3H-thymidine and 3H-deoxycytidine incorporation rates into the interphase nuclei of rabbit kidney cell culture during the S-period. The rate of 3H-deoxycytidine (10(-4) M--10(-6) M) incorporation into nuclei increases throughout the first part of the S-period and decreases from its middle to the end. The patterns of variations of 3H-thymidine and 3H-deoxycytidine incorporation rates into the nuclei of cultured rabbit kidney cells during the S-period were identical.


[Effect of colchicine on polarization of cells on narrow strips of an adherent substrate]. Effect of antitubulin colcemide on polarization of mouse fibroblast-like cells on anisotropic substrate was studied. Such a substrate was obtained by scratching narrow strips in lipid films, adsorbed on the glass. The control cells were seen spread only along the strips, and in 4-6 hours they approached the length of120-150 mcm. In colcemide-containing media, the cells remain in an unspread state for a long time; they extrude their outgrowths both along the strip and perpendicularly to it. Due to frequent refractions of outgrowths, two thirds of colcemide-treated cells were detached from the substrate. Possible mechanisms of these effects of antitubulins are discussed.


[Pyrogen-free sterile water for operative endoscopy (author's transl)]. In transurethral endoscopic operations we have maximal demands for the water conditions where, as in urology, for the diagnostic endoscopy one mostly uses sterile filtered but on principle hydrant water containing pyrogen. First the determinations of the order for drinking water and its possible consequences for irrigator systems are laid down. Water for injections like the irrigator water in operative endoscopy must conform to the demands in pharmacopoeia of the different countries. With the new combination of reverse osmosis system with an irrigator, hydrant water can be purified to pyrogen-free sterile water in the place of treatment.


[Replacement of the trigonum vesicae by silicone rubber in mini pigs (author's transl)]. Prostheses of the trigonum vesicae made of silicone rubber and covered with a textile layer were implanted in 18 mini pigs. Investigations were done in two series: in the first the prostheses were covered on the outside with a narrow woven textile layer, in the second with Dacron-velour. While the narrow woven textile-lined prostheses were rejected into the urinary bladder after a short period, the Dacron-velour-lined prostheses remained well attached to the bladder wall.


Duplication of the renal pelvis and blind-ending bifid ureter in twins. Blind-ending bifid ureter in a woman with urinary tract infection and a duplicated renal pelvis in her twin sister are reported. The blind-ending bifid ureter terminated as a fibrous cord with a terminal mass of immature renal tissue. This type of ureter may be a transitional form between histologically blind-ending bifid ureter and duplication of the renal pelvis and/or kidneys. Findings in twins support this opinion.


Spontaneous listeric encephalitis and neuritis in sheep. Light microscopic studies. Sixteen of 17 sheep with spontaneous listeric encephalitis had neuritis characterized by diffuse and focal intrafascicular and perineural accumulations of lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages and neutrophils in one or more cranial nerves. Nine sheep had extensive trigeminal neuritis which was usually unilateral. Brain lesions were mainly in the stem and were foci of macrophages or neutrophils or both, malacia, neutrophilic neuronophagia, vascular cuffing, and meningitis. Lesions in the brain and trigeminal ganglia were most severe on the same side as the affected trigeminal nerve. Gram-positive bacilli were in proximal parts of cranial nerves in foci of inflammatory cells and occasionally in morphologically intact nerve fibers. Organisms in the brain were in phagocytes in areas of inflammation and in scattered neurons and axons. The results were consistent with centripetal migration of the infectious agent along one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve to the brain and dissemination in the brain stem occurring, at least partly, along fiber tracts. Intraaxonal movement of bacteria probably is a mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of this disease.


Mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis propria and peritoneum in Fischer rats. Nine mesotheliomas were found in a group of 384 mature, male, Fischer-derived rats maintained on various experimental diets in long-term feeding studies. The tumors apparently were unrelated to any of the test materials. They ranged from solid, raised serosal growths to delicate papillary structures, and occurred primarily on the tunica vaginalis propria of the testis, epididymis and spermatic cord. Four of the nine cases were unusual because there was mesotheliomatous involvement of the peritoneal as well as of the genital mesothelium.


Ochratoxin A and citrinin induced nephrosis in Beagle dogs. III. Terminal renal ultrastructural alterations. The extent and type of renal ultrastructural changes in Beagle dogs varied with the administration of ochratoxin A and citrinin alone and in the two dosage combinations. The three predominant changes were cytoplasmic vacuolation, myelin figure formation and lesions designated as cytoplasmic disarray. These changes were mainly of the endomembane system of the tubular epithelial cells. Cytoplasmic vacuoles were within proximal and distal tubules and collecting ducts and were most numerous in dogs given 10 mg/kg critrinin. Vacuolation of similar distribution, but less severe, was seen in renal tubular cells of dogs given the higher dose of the combined mycotoxins (0.2 mg/kg ochratoxin A + 10 mg/kg citrinin). This damage was limited to the proximal tubular cells in dogs given only ochratoxin A (0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg). Myelin figures were in proximal epithelial cells of dogs given ochratoxin A alone or combined with citrinin. There was cytoplasmic disarray in dogs of all groups except for dogs given 5 mg/kg citrinin. This lesions was usually limited to the proximal tubules. The lesions, however, was found in cells of the distal tubules of dogs given 10 mg/kg citrinin alone.


The effect on reproductive performance of porcine parvovirus infection in a susceptible pig herd. An acute episode of reproductive failure occurred following natural introduction of porcine parvovirus to a susceptible herd of 48 breeding sows. Serological data gave a close estimate of the time that infection spread through the herd, and enabled a correct forecast of the reproductive failure that followed. Severe fetal mummification was seen over a three-week period. Epidemiological data is presented strongly linking in utero parvovirus infection with the mummification that occurred, and the significance of this data is discussed in connection with the present knowledge of transplacental porcine parvovirus infection.


The effects of progesterone and oestrogen treatment in heifers on oestrous cycle control and plasma progesterone levels. Data are presented on the effects of a short-term progesterone treatment for oestrous cycle control in cattle. Progesterone was administered by intravaginal sponge pessaries inserted for a 10-day period. Progesterone pessaries alone did not affect oestrous cycle length or corpus luteum function at either early (day 2) or midluteal (day 12) cycle stages. However, when progesterone (250 mg) and oestradiol benzoate (7-5 mg) were given intramuscularly on the day of pessary insertion corpus luteum development was inhibited in animals treated at day 2 and was regressed in animals at day 12. This combined oestrogen-progesterone treatment efficiently controlled oestrous cycle length.


Terminal disinfection of calf houses by formaldehyde fumigation. Trials were carried out to investigate the effectiveness of various methods of formaldehyde fumigation as a means of disinfecting calf houses. Houses were cleaned by the farmer, sealed and then fumigated. A significant reduction in bacterial numbers was obtained when the gas was produced by heating paraformaldehyde, mixing formalin with potassium permanganate or boiling formalin in calf houses that could be effectively sealed. Aerosol generators did not give satisfactory results. Efficient pre-cleaning and sealing of the houses were of paramount importance; relative humidity and temperature were less important.


[Blastomogenesis in mice due to postnatal effect of N-nitrosoethylurea and x-ray irradiation]. N-nitrosoethylurea (NEU) is found to show an intensive transplacental carcinogenic effect inducing in mice different neoplasms, mainly lung adenomas. Postnatal x-ray irradiation of control animals resulted in the occurrence of ovarian tumors in some female mice. Delivary and feeding of the progeny would lead to the development of mammary gland tumors in a number of control female animals. Postnatal exposure to x-rays of mice exposed to transplacental effect of NEU resulted in the increased incidence of lung neoplasms, mainly adenocarcinomas.


[Radiotherapy of metastases of malignant neoplasms into the lungs]. The results of radiation therapy in 800 patients with lung metastases of different malignant neoplasms are reported. Metastases were multiple--in 53 cases, single--in 7, solitory--in 14. In 6 patients metastatic nodes were noted in the pleura. Total irradiation was employed (of one lung in 36 patients, of both lungs--in 44). In 15 patients an additional local irradiation of separate metastatic foci was performed. As a result of the treatment an immediate objective effect was gained in 44 of 80 patients (55%), metastases completely disappeared in 12 cases (15%). The period of remission ranged from 1 month to 2.5 years, making 8 months on the average. The data obtained indicate the rationality to further improve the technic concerned and to study simultaneously the opportunities of using radiotherapy, supplemented with the use of different antitumor drugs, taking into account the sensitivity of some or other malignant tumor to them.


[Excretion of corticosteroids and catecholamines in cancer of the rectum and stomach]. In patients with cancer of the rectum and stomach the excretion of 17-ketosteroids was reduced, compared with the normal level, most of these patients showing a decreased adrenal glucocorticoid function too. In patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract adrenaline and noradrenaline excretion was lower than normal values. There is a distinct correlation between the indices of catecholamines and corticosteroids excretion in the urine of patients with rectal and gastric cancer.


[Effect of N-nitrosoethylurea dosage and postnatal x-ray irradiation on transplacental blastomogenesis in mice]. In transplacental exposure to nitrosoethylurea in a dose of 2 mg/Kg the frequency of occurrence of different neoplasms in mice would not change as compared with a dose of 20 mg/Kg. However, in a dose of 2 mg/Kg the time of lung tumor development was prolonged. Postnatal roentgen irradiation increased the incidence of lung adenomas and ovarian tumors in female mice, exposed in embryogenesis to NEU effect in a dose of 2 mg/Kg; male mice showed a somewhat delayed development of tumors. In animals, subjected to NEU effect transplacentally in a dose of 20 mg/Kg, postnatal roentgen irradiation resulted in the appearance of lung adenocarcinomas, tumors of other lacolizations being developed neither in female nor in male mice.


[Proteolytic activity in rat liver mitochondria]. An enzymatic fraction, possessing the proteolytic activity, was isolated from destructed rat liver mitochondria. The preparation obtained exhibited the distinct activity with membrane proteins and mitochondrial structural proteins used as substrates and dissolved in solutions, containing EDTA and sodium dodecylsulphate, respectively. The proteolytic activity was shown to be due to protease, found in the preparation of mitochondria; it did not depend on the contamination by lysosomal cathepsins.


[Fetal heart rate patterns at death in utero (author's transl)]. In a comparative description of norm- and anencephal fetus typical heart rate patterns at death in utero are demonstrated and the imminent danger is described by 5 characteristic parameters. As several figures show heart rate patterns are not influenced by fetal deformation and immaturity. The sinusoidal oscillation is not imparative in prefinal stage.


Why the healing gods are twins.

Why the healing gods are twins. The association of twins with health-giving powers is widespread in mythology, folklore, and religion. The Ashvins of the Rig-Veda, the classical Dioscuri, and the early Christian saints Cosmos and Damian are among the many examples of twins divinely empowered in the area of health and fertility. A characteristic set of attributes of twins recurs in different mythologies of wide distribution. In addition to healing, divine twins are often empowered with the ability to revive the dead, increase the fertility of man, animals, and crops, influence the weather, predict the future, and insure victory in battle. In some traditional societies these special attributes are thought to extend to all of the twins and their parents in the tribe.Ancient and primitive societies supposed that the birth of twins was associated with divine influence, the mother having been visited or otherwise affected by supernatural powers. A frequent explanation was that twins were the result of superfetation, a divine impregnation occurring along with that by the lawful husband. The specific powers of divine twins appear to be a reflection of the particular form of origin of twins through divine interference with the fertilization process. The twins thus share some of the powers of the divine parent, particularly those pertaining to fertility. Their dual paternity and its inherent competition is related to their martial interests as well as their ability to resolve ambivalent or ambiguous situations and predict outcomes.


[Induced abortion with intramuscular administration of 15(S)-15methyl-prostaglandin F 2 alpha]. 15(S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin F2alpha was administered by the intramuscular route in 10 patients between 12. and 18. weeks gestation. All these patients aborted within 20 hours, with mean induction-abortion intervall of 14,1 hours. 250 microgram 15(S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin F2alpha was administered 3 hourly. 8 patients had side effects, mainly nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.


[Can the high percentage of premature twins be reduced? Thoughts based on an analysis of 243 twin births]. 243 twinpregnancies of the university hospital at Hamburg between 1960 to 1969 have been analysed retrospectively (1960 to 1964 = Group A, 1965 to 1969 = Group B). It was found that the main risk factors of gemellary gravidity are the high rate of born before term babies the high rate of EPH-gestosis, and the high rate of perinatal mortality. 57 respectively 65% of all gemellipara had one or more symptoms of EPH-gestosis. Measured by birth weight (less than 2500 g = pre-term and small for gestational age infants) greater than 50% of the twins of group A and B were of low birth weight. The perinatal mortality of multiple pregnancy of all groups of birth weight was 11.6% in group A and 13.3% in group B. The perinatal mortality of not premature newborn with greater than 2500 g was 10 times lower and has been corrected from 1.1% (group A) to 0.5% (group B). Gemellipara, younger than 20 and elder than 30 years of age, show the maximum rate of perinatal mortality. Twins should be diagnosed in time of pregnancy. This allows pre-term hospitalisation with routine testing of placental function and if necessary prophylactic therapy of immature labour. This offers more promise to prevention of prematurity and leads to progress satisfactorily with multiple pregnancy.


[Differential inhibition of synthesis and methylation of DNA fragments by hydroxyurea in L5178Y lymphoblasts in vitro]. In cultures of mouse L5178Y lymphoblasts treated with low concentrations of hydroxyurea during the logarithmic phase of growth differential inhibition of synthesis and methylation of various DNA fragments was observed. Some evidence is presented that the effect may be due to different sensitivity of cells to the action of hydroxyurea at various times of the S-phase.