[Practical aspects of toxoplasmosis].

[Practical aspects of toxoplasmosis]. Progress during the last 10 years in parasitologic, epidemiologic and clinical areas has led to new insight concerning toxoplasmosis. Many earlier beliefs concerning toxoplasmosis must be revised. One of these is that dogs or other domestic animals are a source of infection for man. Only domestic cats excrete in their feces toxoplasma oocysts which are potentially infectious for man; oocysts, however, have little importance under living conditions in Central Europe. Concern about connatal transmission of toxoplasma by mothers who have been infected prior to conception is now considered baseless. Only a primary infection during pregnancy constitutes a certain danger for the fetus and chemotherapy is suggested. The former clinical concept of toxoplasmic endometritis was never confirmed by histopathology. The same applies to specific placental changes supposedly due to toxoplasma infection which could lead to abortion. In spite of the usefulness of serologic evidence for clinical diagnosis, there is no danger for the fetus when a mother has a high antibody titer prior to pregnancy; the mother could be regarded as vaccinated. Appropriate information should be supplied in the "motherhood-passport" use in Germany to avoid worrying a mother with positive titer, and to congratulating a woman with negative findings for her hygienic standard. Only in case of primary infection during pregnancy a certain danger of infection and disease for the child exists. However if treated the chemotherapeutic treatment significantly reduces the risk.


Molecular mechanisms of fertilization.

Molecular mechanisms of fertilization. The fertilization process serves the species as a mechanism for increasing its genetic diversity and ultimately its evolutionary persistence. For the biologist, it provides many fundamental problems for study. Several different types of membrane fusion reactions occur, each with a specific role in the sequence of fertilization. The sperm faces problems in transport and interaction with the egg; the egg modifies its surface and its internal metabolism in response to fusion with the sperm; and all these processes contain a wealth of interesting biochemical and biophysical problems. Many systems under study are easily manipulated, and, as a result, different portions of the fertilization sequence can be studied in isolation. Despite the enormous progress and insights made on this problem over the last century, our understanding of fertilization is still tentative, and the above discussion should be viewed as a progress report. We are just beginning to obtain some of the clues to unravel the mechanism of the complex machinery that Aristotle predicted was in the egg.


Human triploid embryo: cytogenetic and anatomopathologic study. A cytogenetic and anatomopathologic study of an embryo of 24 mm crown-rump length showing pure triploidy (69,XXY) is reported. Anomalies such as unilateral genitourinary agenesia, aortic alterations, defects in cerebral development, and anomalies of the chorionic villi were detected.


Cultivation of mammalian pineal cells: retention of organization and function in tissue culture. By means of a newly developed method of cultivating pineal tissue in vitro, the types of cells which comprise rat pineal glands have been identified. Previous in vitro studies have involved short-term culture more suitably called "organ culture" and provide no means of assessing the contribution of a putative "pineal" cell versus any other cell type found in the cultures. Short-term outgrowths of minced rat pineal glands provided a reproducible and easily dissociated source of pineal-derived cells. In monolayer culture these cells continued to have pineal enzyme activities which were sensitive to pineal-activating substances, and the cells aggregated to mimic the lobular organization of intact glands. Two types of aggregates were found, each composed of a single morphological cell type. In addition to the transient appearance of skeletal muscle straps, connective tissue and neural/glial tissue was consistently found. The cell types are discussed in relation to their in vivo counterparts.


Establishment of duck cell line derived from experimental tumor induced by 20-methylcholanthrene. Experimental tumors developed in white Pekin ducks after intramuscular implantation of 20-methylcholanthrene. Cells derived from the primary tumor were adapted successfully to grow in vitro and have growth characteristics similar to that of established cell lines of mammalian origin. The cell density rises rapidly and the doubling time is approximately 17 hr. The duck cells have been cultured successfully for at least 80 passages in votro. The continuously cultured cells have the characteristic chromosome pattern of duck, and the DNA of the duck cell line hybridized with duck liver DNA. We believe we have established a continuous cell line of avian origin. Electron-microscopic examinations of the tumor cells and RNA-directed DNA polymerase of the cell-free supernate show no evidence of endogenous virus production.


Separation of IgE from IgG subclasses using staphylococcal protein A. When human serum was passed through a column of insolubilised protein A, IgE was not removed, but IgG sublasses 1,2 and 4 were retained. Protein A did not show a similar selectivity in its interaction with rat immunoglobulins. The separation of human IgE from the bulk of the IgG was used to examine the effect of IgG on IgE-mediated sensitization of lung tissue for histamine reslease. Removal of IgG led to a significant increase in histamine release, suggesting that homocytotropic IgG competes with IgE, for binding sites on mast cells.


Effects of variation in the level of haptenation of heterologous protein immunogen on cellular and humoral responses of the guinea pig. Groups of guinea pigs were sensitized with bovine gamma-globulin (BGG) substituted with 0, 4, 12, or 40 dinitrophenyl (DNP) groups per molecule. Skin tests, lymphocyte stimulation, two lymphokine assays and antibody determinations were carried out after 21 days using all four antigens. In the extreme situations when BGG-sensitized animals were challenged with DNP40-BGG, or when DNP40-BGG-sensitized animals were challenged with BGG, the delayed skin reactions were transient and weakly indurated. BGG-sensitized guinea pigs injected with anti-DNP40-GBB serum showed no change in delayed skin response to DNP40-BGG, whereas anti-BGG serum enhanced the response of DNP40-BGG-sensitized anamals to BGG. All immunized groups showed lymphocyte stimulation and lymphokine production by all antigens, but migration inhibition and lymphocyte stimulation followed less closely the pattern of delayed skin responses than did mitogenic factor output. The serum antibody response to DNP40-BGG as immunogen indicated that all carrier determinants were masked. At lower levels of substitution, anti-hapten titres were reduced and appreciable levels of anti-carrier antibody obtained.


Specific antibodies in infants with gastrointestinal intolerance to cow's milk protein. Antibodies of various immunoglobulin classes against cow's milk proteins were studied in infants and children with cow's milk protein intolerance, gluten-sensitive enteropathy and acute gastroenteritis. Their IgE, IgG, IgM and IgA antibody levels determined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the IgE antibodies also determined with RAST, were compared with reference groups of children and adults. IgE, IgT or IgA antibodies against unseparated cow's milk proteins, alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-casein and beta-casein were present in many of the studied samples, but did not discriminate between the individuals with and without intolerance symptoms. As a group, the infants with late reactions to cow's milk showed increased levels of IgE and IgG antibodies detected with the ELISA, while patients with gluten-sensitive enteropathy had significantly increased levels of IgG and IgA antibodies of cow's milk proteins compared to the reference group. By combining the findings of antibody increases in various immunoglobulin classes, an individual discrimination could be reached. Thus, 8 of 9 of the patients with late reactions to cow's milk had increased levels of IgE or IgG + IgA antibodies as compared to 3 of 22 in the reference group. Serodiagnosis with the ELISA may, therefore, be of some use in patients with a suspicion of cow's milk protein intolerance.


Studies on rosette formation of human lymphocytes with pig red blood cells. In this paper, data are presented which indicate that receptors of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) for pig erythrocytes (PRBC) and sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) are identical or at least very similar to each other with a higher avidity of PBL for SRBC than for PRBC. As an average, 50 +/- 9% of human PBL formed PRBC rosettes (Ep), compared to 70 +/- 7% of SRBC rosettes (Es). Lymphocytes incubated with SRBC plus PRBC ('co-rosetting') formed 10 +/- 5% of mixed rosettes (Em) but no pure Ep. Resuspension of rosetted lymphocytes followed by co-rosetting with the other erythrocyte species revealed that the majority of Ep became Em, while the majority of Es remained pure Es even after co-rosetting with PRCB; no pure Ep was newly formed. Incubation at 37 degrees C abolished almost all Ep as compared to 9% Es. Anti-thymocyte serum inhibited both types of rosette formation. PBL from patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia formed only 2.5 +/- 2.5% Ep. 1.7 +/- 1.1% of PBL expressed both membranes immunoglobulins and receptors for PRBC. Trypsin treatment abolished both kinds of rosette formation almost completely, while neuraminidase treatment of erythrocytes led to a raise in Ep formation from a mean of 53% to a mean percentage of 68%. Electron microscopic investigations did not reveal differences between binding sites of lymphocytes for PRCB and those for SRBC; however, with a technique different from the conventional one, intimate contact areas were observed between lymphocytes and both kinds of red blood cells.


Replication of equine herpesvirus type 1 and type 3: resistance to hydroxyurea and thymidine. The replication of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and type 3 (EHV-3) was unimpeded in three different cell types-equine epithelial cells, equine fibroblasts, and mouse fibroblasts-which had been blocked in their capacity to synthesize host DNA by 2.5 mM hydroxyurea (HU) or 2 mM thymidine (TdR). The rate of DNA synthesis in uninfected or equine herpesvirus-infected cells in the presence of HU or TdR was measured by pulse-labeling cell samples with a labeled DNA precursor at different times after infection. DNA synthesis in uninfected cultures was completely inhibited by both compounds. However, in cells infected with EHV-1 or EHV-3 and incubated in the presence of HU or TdR, a burst of DNA synthesis occurred which coincided in time with that of virus-specific DNA replication in infected cells without inhibitors. Analysis by cesium chloride isopycnic centrifugation confirmed that the DNA made in drug-treated, infected cells was viral. A possible mechanism of the HU and TdR resistance of the equine herpesviruses is the induction of a ribonucleotide reductase which is insensitive to inhibition by these compounds.


[Cytoplasmic microfilaments in laryngeal carcinoma malignant keratinocytes (author's transl)]. The fine structure of malignant keratinocytes of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the human larynx was studied by electron microscopy. In these malignant cells a system organized 50--70 A microfilaments is prominent in the cortical cytoplasm of the lateral and basal cell surfaces. The microfilaments are arranged either in oriented bundles or form a complex filamentous network. The bundles may lie parallel to the plasma membrane and to the long axis of the cell. The microfilaments are situated at the base of the pseudopodia-like cell processes or are found extending into microvillous cytoplasmic extensions. In some places the bundles are some associated with the plasmalemma displaying electron-dense attachment sites. Desmosomes or other types of junctional complexes invariably remain free of microfilaments. At higher magnification the individual microfilaments are seen to be interconnected transversely by a polygonal interfilamentous meshwork. Within the bundles of microfilaments focal regions of increased electron density, similar to the Z-band of sarcomeres, are observed. Organized bundles of oriented 50--70 A microfilaments do not occur in normal squamous epithelial cells of laryngeal mucosa. By analogy with various motile microfilament containing cell systems which have been shown biochemically to contain the contractile protein actin, these cytoplasmic microfilaments may be the structural elements responsible for the migratory invasive properties of malignant keratinocytes in cancer of the larynx.


[Cerebellar dysarthria (author's transl)]. Dysarthria due to involvement of the cerebellum represents a facultative symptom of cerebellar disease. The mechanisms by which such dysarthrias are produced are unknown but may result from pathologic involvement of the entire cerebellum. The symptoms of cerebellar dysarthria in children and in adults are described in two case histories. Characteristic speech defects or dysarthrophony occur. In addition to speech pathology, computer tomography of the skull is useful in obtaining both differential diagnosis and an estimate of prognosis. The goal of treatment should be the improvement of muscle defects of tonus and coordination needed for speech, and can employ both physio- and ergotherapy.


Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of pentachlorophenol in milk. A gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method developed by other workers for determining pentachlorophenol (PCP) in water has been adapted for determining PCP in raw and homogenized milk. PCP is extracted from milk with benzene and from the benzene into a potassium carbonate solution. Acetic anhydride is added to the aqueous solution to form PCP acetate, which is extracted into hexane and then determined by electron capture GLC. Duplicate determinations of PCP in milk fortified at levels of 0.02, 0.2, and 2.0 ppm gave respective average recoveries of 80.0, 87.2, and 85.0%. PCP levels as low as 0.005 ppm can be detected in 20 g milk.


A cell wall proteo-heteroglycan from Piricularia oryzae: isolation and partial structure. A purified proteo-heterolgycan, [alpha]D + 72.5 degrees, was isolated from Piricularia oryzae, a pathogenic fungus of rice blast disease (Imochi-byo), by means of hot citrate buffer extraction, cetavlon fractionation, and DEAE-Sephade chromatography. It was found to be homogeneous by electrophoresis and by analytical ultracentrifugation to have an s value 6.1 and to contain 91% (w/w) of carbohydrate, which consists of D-mannose, D-glucose, and D-galactose in a molar ratio of 6:2:1. Partial acid hydrolysis and methylation analysis of the carbohydrate moiety of the proteo-heteroglycan indicate that the molecule is composed of mannan, the side chain terminals of which are partially modified with D-glucopyranose and D-galactofuranose. Enzymatic hydrolysis with bacterial alpha-D-mannanase has been shown to remove most of the side chains from the heteroglycan, leaving an (1-6) linked mannan back-bone with a small amount of side chains, the terminals of which must be modified with D-glucopyranose or D-galactofuranose. The carbohydrate to protein linkage of the proteo-heteroglycan was shown by alkaline beta-elimination, to be mannosyl serine or mannosyl threonine.


Malate dehydrogenases. The lack of evidence for dissociation of the dimeric enzyme in kinetic analyses. The kinetic parameters of beef heart cytoplasmic and pig heart mitochondrial malate dehydrogenases have been examined over a wide range of enzyme concentration. No significant changes are observed in these properties. In conjunction with active enzyme sedimentation and sedimentation equilibrium experiments, it is concluded that there is no evidence for dissociation of the dimeric enzyme at any enyzme level in the kinetic analyses. Thus, if dissociation occurs, it must be too slow to be of significance in determining the kinetic properties of the enzyme. It is shown that unless a subunit and its dimeric form have identical kinetic and substrate binding characteristics, the kinetic parameters should change as a function of enzyme concentration.


Cellular retinol-binding protein from rat liver. Purification and characterization. Cellular retinol-binding protein has been purified to homogeneity from rat liver. The procedures utilized in the purification included acid precipitation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and G-50, and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The binding protein was purified approximately 3,500-fold, based on total soluble liver protein. The protein is a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 14,600 based on information obtained by the techniques of sedimentation equilibrium analysis, gel filtration, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. The protein binds retinol with high affinity; the appparent dissociation constant was determined by fluorometric titration to be 1.6 X 10(-8) M. Retinol bound to the protein has an absorption spectrum (lambdamax, 350 nm) considerably altered from the spectrum of retinol in ethanol (lambdamax, 325 nm).


Reduction by dithionite ion of adducts of metmyoglobin with imidazole, pyridine, and derivatives. The rate and equilibrium constants for the information of a number of metmyoglobin species Mb+X (X = imidazole, imidazole-H-, 1-methylimidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 4-nitroimidazole, 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole, pyridine, 2-, 3-, and 4-picoline) and the rates of their reduction by dithionite have been measured at 25 degrees. Several different kinds of kinetic behavior for the reduction were observed. In all cases, a rate constant for direct reaction of Mb+X with SO2- can be assessed. The data strongly support attack of SO2- on the ligand, followed by electron transfer through the pi system to the metal ion.


Effect of hydrocortisone on cell morphology in C6 cells. Hydrocortisone has been found to induce cell spreading in rat glial C6 cells by 24 hours after its addition. This spreading phenomenon is correlated with an increase in the fraction of the peripheral cytoplasm occupied by microfilaments. Cytochalasin B causes disorganization of microfilaments in the peripheral cytoplasm of the cells. Additionally, it also prevents cell spreading in response to hormonal stimulation. High levels of calcium prevent recovery of normal microfilament organization and cell spreading following removal of cytochalasin B, but have no effect on normal microfilament organization alone. Additionally both the hydrocortisone induced spreading of C6 cells and increases in peripheral microfilaments are shown to be dependent on RNA ans protein synthesis. The levels of protein co-electrophoresing with actin are not effected by hydrocortisone.


An inhibitor of cell cohesion from axenically grown cells of the slime mould, Dictyostelium discoideum. Medium from a stationary phase culture of axenically grown D. discoideum cells contains an inhibitor of cohesion of log phase cells. The inhibitor is a heat-stable, low molecular weight substance. Its biological effects include inhibition of cohesion of aggregation-competent cells, of cells of other slime mould species, the blocking of development on Millipore filters and a reduction in adhesiveness of slime mould cells to glass. Present evidence suggests that the inhibitor may bind to the cell surface.


Crucial role of the postnatal maternal environment in the expression of prenatal stress effects in the male rats. Methodological and conceptual problems common in prenatal stress experiments were analyzed, and an experiment incorporating solutions to those problems were designed and executed. Rats were prenatally stressed or served as controls and then were cross-fostered within or between treatment groups. In adulthood, one male from each litter was tested over 20 trials in an open-field box and then tested over 20 successive discrimination reversals in a T-maze. A T-factor analysis was performed on each of the two sets of observations, and factors scores were subjected to elevational analyses. Major hypotheses generated from the results are the following: (a) Male rats subjected to prenatal stress acquire emotional reactivity levels in adulthood that are either elevated or reduced depending on the postnatal maternal environment. (b) Male rats subjected to prenatal stress acquire reversal learning sets in adulthood with a rapidity that parallels and indeed is produced by the pattern of emotional reactivity reflected in the above a and as mediated by cognitive processes. (c) T-factor analysis of trials is required in order to avoid construct validity problems as well as internal validity problems, both brought about by the confounding of trial variables, and in addition, it may generate valuable hypotheses giving further meaning to the dependent variables under observation.


Uncertainty, as defined by the contingency between environmental events, and the adrenocortical response of the rat to electric shock. The pituitary-adrenal system is thought to be sensitive to the degree of uncertainty in a situation. In addition, there is some question whether the pituitary-adrenal system can be conditioned in a Pavlovian sense. Three experiments are reported here. The first and third sought to define uncertainty in terms of conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus (CB-US) and US-US contingencies, which vary the amount of information that can be used to predict the occurrence of discrete shocks. The second experiment examined the possibility that the adrenocortical system was subject to the laws of Pavlovian conditioning, by using a conditioned emotional response paradigm. The results showed that the magnitude of the Pituitary-adrenal response varied in a curvilinear manner along the dimension of uncertainty. Very low and very high degrees of uncertainty resulted in greater corticosterone elevations than did moderate levels. No evidence for Pavlovian conditioning of the adrencortical system was found, although behavioral measures showed fear conditioning. The data presented were supportive of the hypothesis that the pituitary-adrenal response reflects the operation of an arousal system.


The cell count of milk in relation to milk yield. Quarter-milk cell counts and milk yields from 1000 cows in the province of Noord-Brabant were obtained over a 12-month period. The data from 933 animals, mainly heifers, were used to examine statistically the relationship between cell counts, as a criterion for sub-clinical forms of mastitis, and milk yield. Losses in milk were assessed by quarter, by pairs of quarters and by cow. The conclusions were that the losses in milk due to sub-clinical forms of mastitis, as indicated by cell count, can be substantial. The existence of a compensating increase in milk yield from a healthy gland, in response to the loss of milk from a neighbouring quarter with raised cell count, could not be demonstrated.


First fifteen amino acid residues in buffalo alpha S 1-casein from the N-terminal end. Conventional Edman degradation techniques with phenyl isothiocyanate and p-phenylazophenyl isothiocyanate were used to determine the first 15 amino-terminal amino acid residues in buffalo alpha S 1-casein. The results were compared to those of bovine alpha S 1-casein.


Valine, leucine, and isoleucine metabolism by lactating bovine mammary tissue. Valine, leucine, and isoleucine were extracted by the lactating bovine mammary gland in excess of outputs in milk protein. Carbon-14 uniformly labeled L-valine, L-leucine or L-isoleucine were catabolized when incubated in vitro with lactating bovine mammary tissue slices. The pathways of degradation of these amino acids by mammary tissue appear to be those common to other tissues. These amino acids represent a potential source of energy to the mammary gland as well as a source of carbon and alpha-amino nitrogen for synthesis of nonessential amino acids.


Synthesis and testing of glucose derivatives for feeding to ruminants. Glucose compounds were synthesized and tested for resistance in a 48-h in vitro rumen fermentation. Glucose complexed with formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone was resistant. When complexed with propionic and succinic acids, the products readily fermented. The resistant compounds also withstood acid hydrolysis at a pH similar to that of the abomasum. This suggests that these products would have little value as a dietary source of glucose for ruminants if the release of glucose to the animal depended on acid hydrolysis in the abomasum. The possibility of enzymatic hydrolysis of glucose-formaldehyde compound was studied in a feeding trial with sheep. Eight Finncross wethers were fed the formaldehyde product in three quantities in their diet. Blood and urine glucose plus blood, urine, and fecal total soluble carbohydrate were measured. It appears that this glucose-formaldehyde product resists rumen fermentation but does not become metabolically available to sheep as indicated by large quantities of product excreted in urine and feces.


Influence of nitrate and molybdenum on sulfur utilization by rumen microorganisms. Twenty-four hours in vitro incubations were used to study the effect of nitrate and molybdenum on sulfur utilization by rumen microorganisms. Sulfur was added as sodium sulfate or sulfide at .1, .2, .3, or .4% of the substrate dry matter. Cellulose digestion was an indicator of microbial growth. The addition of .1 to .4% sulfate or sulfide sulfur increased cellulose digestion over the conrol, the two sulfur sources being equal in promoting cellulose digestion. No differences in cellulose digestion were found between .1 and .4% added sulfur. However, the addition of .4 of .8% nitrate-nitrogen depressed cellulose digestion and increased the requirement for both sulfate and sulfide. Depression was greater with .8% nitrate-nitrogen. In the presence of nitrate, sulfide was superior to sulfate in promoting cellulose digestion. When 4 or 8 ppm molybdenum were added to the incubations, increasing concentrations of both sulfate and sulfide were required to obtain maximum cellulose digestion. Molybdenum additions increased both the sulfate and sulfide requirement for maximum cellulose digestion.


Hexose shunt dehydrogenase activity in leukocytes isolated from bovine milk. A spectrophotometric method for measuring small changes in light absorption at specific wavelengths from highly turbid suspensions of biological material (dual-beam spectrophotometry) has been used to measure glucose-6-phosphate oxidation and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (oxidized) reduction catalyzed by lysates of milk leukocytes. This reduction was correlated .84 with cellular protein concentration and, therefore, with cell concentration.


Effects of experimental rhinovirus 16 infection on airways and leukocyte function in normal subjects. We infected 7 normal volunteers with rhinovirus 16. In general, the symptoms and alterations in airways were minimal although all subjects had upper respiratory symptoms. Three subjects developed in addition lower respiratory and systemic symptoms accompanied by either an increase in the volume of isoflow or a positive methacholine response. Furthermore, these three had a decrease in beta adrenergic and H2 histamine receptor responses of their granulocytes. Since the peripheral airway obstruction and decreased beta adrenergic and H2 histamine responses occurred together, these two phenomenon may have a common cause. All seven subjects had a decrease in number of circulating E rosette-forming lymphocytes, and in 6 of 7, there was a decrease in the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity capacity of mononuclear cell preparations. It is not clear whether these changes reflect redistribution of mononuclear cells or alteration of their function.


Composition of and cholesterol in Araucana and commercial eggs. Araucana eggs from six sources and commercial-type white eggs of two major supermarket brands and from the University of California flock were collected and analyzed for cholesterol content of the yolk. The yolks of Araucana eggs were significantly higher in cholesterol than those of commercial white eggs.


XIII. Sausages and luncheon meats. Comprehensive evaluation of fatty acids in foods. Total fat and individual fatty acid contents of thirty sausages and luncheon meat products are presented. Data are given as amounts in 100 gm. food and as amounts in household measures and market units. As fatty acid distribution will be reflected by a product's constituents and some sausage varieties can be made from one or a combination of meats, principal sources of fat are also listed in the tables. Factors for converting literature data to grams of fatty acid in a specified portion of food are briefly described.


The cytochemical demonstration of GERL in rat hepatocytes during lipoprotein mobilization. When a semisynthetic diet containing 1% orotic acid (OA) is fed to rats, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of hepatocytes vesiculates and lipoprotein (LP) droplets accumulate within the vesicles. When clofibrate (ethyl chlorophenoxyisobutyrate, CPIB) is added to the orotic acid-rich diet, the ER cisternae reform and the LP is mobilized through the reconstituted ER. A remarkable restoration of normal hepatocyte ultrastructure occurs except for a few organelles. From their morphological appearance it was suggested that cisternae which became dilated with small LP particles were part of GERL, abnormally enlarged. The present communication validates this interpretation through ultrastructural cytochemistry which can distinguish GERL from the adjacent Colgi apparatus. GERL shows acid phosphatase (AcPase) but not thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) activity. In contrast, the adjacent Golgi element shows thiamine pyrophosphatase but not acid phosphatase activity. From such cytochemical studies we have recently proposed that GERL in normal rat hepatocytes may be involved in transforming LP particles, by enzymes like lipases that were presumed to be present in this hydrolase-rich portion of smooth ER. In the situation studied in this communication, the addition of ethyl chlorophenoxyisobutyrate to the diet causes the release from the ER of large amounts of LP to the Golgi apparatus and to GERL. Apparently the capacity of GERL to metabolize LP is exceeded and lipid accumulates in the residual bodies.


Observations on the effects of formaldehyde on cockroaches and their flora: I. Survival of vaccinia virus-infected cockroaches during fumigation with formaldehyde. In these studies it is shown that the common "British" and "American" adult cockroaches can survive exposure to formaldehyde fumigation carried out at double the strength and for four times as long as is recommended for disinfection of rooms. It is further reported that vaccinia virus ingested prior to the fumigation survives in the cockroach gut and may be excreted up to 5 days later. Since cockroaches are ubiquitous and are to be found in most hospitals, laboratories and animal houses, these findings should be considered whenever fumigation is called for.


Observations of the effects of formaldehyde on cockroaches and their flora: III. The effect of formaldehyde in eliminating the normal gut flora. The normal flora of cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) was determined over a period of 24 days prior to substituting water with 1% Formalin for drinking water. During the first 4 days of treatment the normal flora was significantly reduced and by the fifth day, when the cockroaches became diarrhoeic, no bacteria, fungi, or viruses could be detected by the methods used.


Poliomyelitis surveillance in England and Wales, 1969-1975. Poliomyelitis continued to be a rare disease in England and Wales in the period 1969-75. Only 31 paralytic and 44 cases of possible non-paralytic poliomyelitis were recorded during the 7 years. Of the 31 paralytic cases approximately one third were vaccine-associated; 3 were patients who had recently received oral poliovaccine and 7 had been in contact with a vaccinated person. Five of these 7 patients were parents of recently vaccinated children. The rate of vaccine-associated poliomyelitis was estimated in recipients to be 0.2 and in contacts 0.4 per million doses of vaccine given. Marker test results were reported on 555 strains of poliomyelitis virus isolated during 1969-75, using the reproductive capacity temperature test. Forty-eight (8.6%) resembled wild virus in this property, 15 strains being type 1, 8 type 2 and 25 type 3. Most of these isolations of apparently wild virus were from excreters with no symptoms of poliomyelitis, although 3 of the 15 type 1 strains were from patients with paralytic poliomyelitis and 3 from possible cases of non-paralytic poliomyelitis. None of the 8 apparently wild type 2 viruses was from a case of paralytic illness and only 1 of the 39 type 3 strains. Eleven of the 31 paralytic cases were in patients in whom the infection was likely to have been acquired abroad.


Acceleration of human lymphocyte activation after preliminary culture. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells which are precultured in tissue culture medium containing 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) have markedly augmented reactivity to a suboptimal concentration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The augmentation of response is due in part to an acceleration of lymphocyte activation. Precultured cells also respond in an accelerated manner to allogeneic cells. The augmentation is apparent after 24 hr of preliminary culture, and reaches a maximum at 4 to 7 days. Kinetic studies of the culturally augmented PHA response indicate that an increased number of reactive lymphocytes rather than an increased rate of proliferation accounts for the effect. Adding fresh cells to the precultured cells does not suppress their augmented response. When human serum is substituted for FCS in the preliminary culture, the augmentation of response does not occur. Serum-mixing experiments indicate a suppressive effect of human serum. These studies may be relevant for understanding immunologic mechanisms related to transplantation and autoimmunity.


Normal and malignant melanin-containing pigment cells of xiphophorine fish as studied with formaldehyde-induced fluorescence. Embryonic skin and eyes, and melanomas of xiphophorine fish were investigated by fomaldehyde-induced  fluorescence in order to test whether the pigment cells in these tissues may be identified by a specific green-yellow fluorescence. Skin of pigmented fish embryos showed no fluorescence in the black pigment cells (melanocytes and melanophores), while skin of albino embryos showed a green-yellow fluorescence in all cells which correspond to the black pigment cells of pigmented embryos. The skin of both pigmented and albino embryos showed a bright orange fluorescence in the red pigment cells (pterinophores). No fluorescence was observed in the retinal pigment epithelium of pigmented embryos, while a green-yellow fluorescence was observed in the pigment epithelium of albino embryos. Neither the melanotic melanomas of pigmented fish nor the amelanotic melanomas of albino fish showed any specific fluorescence.


On the mechanism of inhibition of influenza virus replication by amantadine hydrochloride. The results of analyses of fowl plague virus-specific RNA and protein synthesis in infected chick embryo fibroblasts incubated in amantadine hydrochloride are reported. They indicate that provided amantadine is present from the time of virus addition no expression of the virus genome occurs and that the synthesis of even the first detectable transcripts catalysed by the polymerase of the infecting virus particles is prevented. In agreement with previous reports it is concluded that amantadine prevents an unknown event which occurs immediately following virus infection.


[Two monozygotic twin sisters affected with a severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta congenita (author's transl)]. Description of two monozygotic twin sisters both showing at 6 1/2 months of intrauterine life the existence of a severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta. On this occasion the authors insist on the necessity of X-rays in cases of stillbirths which will enable the physician to give an appropriate genetic advice.


The role of dietary long chain fatty acids in mitochondrial structure and function. Effects on rat cardiac mitochondrial respiration. To evaluate the effect of dietary rapeseed oils on cardiac mitochondrial function and metabolic conservation of energy, male weanling rats derived from the Sprague-Dawley strain were fed three rations containing either 15% (w/w) soybean oil, low erucic acid rapeseed oil or a high erucic acid rapeseed oil. Cardiac mitochondria were isolated for measurement of mitochondrial respiratory functions. Pyruvate and malate plus malonate or succinate plus amytal, or alpha-ketoglutarate and malate plus malonate were utilized as substrates for oxidative phosphorylation. Net rates of state 3 oxygen uptake and therefore ATP synthesis were found to decline with chronic feeding of the 15% (w/w) oil containing diets. Significantly reduced ADP/O ratios were observed for groups fed high erucic acid rapeseed oil containing diets for 11 days. Decreased ADP/O ratios were also observed for groups fed high or low erucic acid rapeseed oils for 112 days. When pyruvate and malate plus malonate were utilized as substrates, reduced rates of ATP synthesis were observed after chronic feeding of high erucic acid rapeseed oil diets. Only prolonged feeding of low erucic acid rapeseed oils resulted in significant alterations in the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation.


Mortality among employees of PVC fabricators. A cross-sectional mortality study of 4,341 deaths occurring among current and former employees of 17 PVC fabricators during 1964-1973 is presented. The objectives are: (1) to identify any angiosarcoma deaths among the employees of these fabricators, and (2) to examine the distribution of deaths by cause. No angiosarcoma deaths were found among the study group. Sex-race-cause-specific Proportionate mortality Ratios (PMR's) were computed, using the corresponding U.S. mortality as the standard. Among white employees, there appears to be an excess in total cancer mortality, particularly that of the digestive system. Observed deaths were found to exceed the expected in cancers of the breast and urinary organs among white females. Deficit mortality was observed in cirrhosis of liver among both male and female white employees.


Plant anticancer agents VI: Isolation of voacangine, voacamine, and epivoacorine from Tabernaemontana arborea sap. Fractionation of the sap of Tabernaemontana arborea, guided by cytotoxicity against the P-388 lymphocytic leukemia, yielded the known indole alkaloids voacangine, voacamine, and epivoacorine as the major cytotoxic constituents.


Radioimmunoassay of androstenedione and testosterone in cow plasma at the time of luteolysis and oestrus. Androsteredione and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay after chromatography on micro-columns of Lipidex-5000 in jugular plasma samples taken every 2-3 h at the time of luteolysis and oestrus in 3 dairy cows. The concentrations of androstenedione and testosterone varied between 5 and 60 pg/ml and 5 and 80 pg/ml respectively and no consistent pattern in the fluctuations of either steroid was observed.


Androgen aromatization by luteinized bovine granulosa cells in tissue culture. Luteinized bovine granulosa cells in tissue culture contained an active 19-hydroxylase aromatase enzyme system which converted exogenous androstenedione and testosterone to oestradiol-17beta; no oestrone was detected. In the absence of exogenous androgens, the cells failed to synthesize oestrogens due to a limited capacity to synthesize androgen precursor. Theca-lutein cells, present in those CL which synthesize oestrogens, may provide androgen precursor for aromatization by the granulosa-lutein cells.


Differential transport of spermatozoa into the two sides of the genital tract of a monovular marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Ovulation in the tammar wallaby alternates between the ovaries. The genital duct of each side enters the median vaginal culs-de-sac separately. Post-partum oestrus occurred 0.4 days after birth and ovulation 1 day later. After a single copulation spermatozoa were found in both cervical canals at 0.5 h and extended to the oviduct on the non-parturient side only by 8 h. Very few spermatozoa were found in sections of the post-partum uterus or its associated oviduct at any time. Spermatozoa were recovered by flushing from both sides but the numbers were 2-20 times greater in the non-parturient than in the post-partum side: the greatest difference occurred in the cervical canals 2-5 h after copulation. In females which had undergone a previous infertile cycle, spermatozoa were abundant in both cervices and both uteri. It is concluded that the differential distribution of spermatozoa in post-partum animals was (1) due to failure of transport in the recently pregnant side of the tract, rather than attraction of spermatozoa to the ovulation side, and (2) established at the cervix which, on the ovulation side, provides a reservoir of spermatozoa for 24 h after copulation.


Plasma gonadotrophins and oestradiol during oestrus in the cow. LH values between -2 and +4 h (0 h = LH peak) were higher than baseline. FSH values were also raised at this time and between +16 and +30 h. Oestradiol values between -20 and 0 h were higher than during +4 to +20h.


The life-span of mammals.

The life-span of mammals. Various parameters in the life cycle of mammals were investigated to find a possible correlation between these parameters and the life-span. Twenty-two factors were calculated to determine the true life-span of any mammal. In addition a single formula, by means of which the life-span could be determined, was constructed. The life-spans of certain species, as calculated by means of the formula, are compared with authorative estimates.


Vaginal cytological changes in the cycling and anoestrous Angora goat doe. The general smear pattern in the oestrous doe was characterised by a copious flow of thin clear mucus which formed distinct fernlike crystallisation patterns. Following ovulation the cervical secretion became a thick white cheesy mass containing large numbers of cellular elements and debris. The luteal period, as well as anoestrus was marked by a scant serous secretion which formed no crystallisation patterns. Leukocytes occurred in varying quantities throughout the cycle. Desquamation of the vaginal epithelium reached a high level during late oestrus when large numbers of cornified cells occurred in the smear. It is concluded that the cytological changes in the vaginal epithelium of the Angora doe appeared to be influenced by cyclical ovarian activity and could be used to assess ovarian oestrogenic activity.


Post partum infection in fection in cattle: diagnosis and preventive and curative treatment. The important economic and other implications associated with an incidence of between 3 and 30% of pueperal disease in cattle are strongly emphasized. To understand the problem the physiology of the puerperium is first reviewed. Possible pathology associated with the puerperium is discussed and the aetiological factors, symptomatology observed in the genital tract and the general symptoms are discussed. Possible ways by which puerperal disease may be prevented are briefly mentioned and possible treatments for various puerperal syndromes are subsequently suggested.


Photoelectron microscopy of cell surfaces. Photoelectron micrographs of fixed, unstained, uncoated chicken embryo fibroblasts and absolute photoelectron quantum yields in the 180-230 nm wavelength band of L-fucose, D-galactose, D-glucose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and the sucrose polymer Ficoll are reported. The quantum yields of the saccharides are low compared to the reference dye, phthalocyanine, and fall in the same range as those previously measured for amino acids and membrane phospholipids. Photoelectron micrographs of the unstained and uncoated cells inhibit considerable surface detail. The photoelectron quantum yield data and the micrographs indicate that surface relief is the dominant source of contrast.


Effects of endocrinologic conditions associated with acute versus chronic lactation on the incidence of mammary carcinomas in irradiated rats: brief communication. Groups of female Fischer rats received 500 rads of gamma-irradiation and were maintained in hormone states that promoted or inhibited lactation. Chronically lactating rats developed no mammary tumors. Rats did not lactate or lactated acutely during the period surrounding irradiation developed similar numbers of carcinomas.


Quipazine exacerbation of a hyperkinetic syndrome: involvement of brain dopamine and serotonin. Quipazine (5-25 mg.kg-1, s.c.) was given to rats in which a hyperkinetic syndrome had been previously induced by administration of beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN). Quipazine produced a significant increase in the circling behavior and choreiform head and neck movements, characteristic of the syndrome. This response could be blocked by pretreatment with the serotonin antagonists, SQ10, 631 (25 mg.kg-1, i.p.) and methysergide (5.0 mg.kg-1, i.p.), as well as the dopamine receptor antagonist, haloperidol (0.5 mg.kg-1, i.p.). These observations are discussed with respect to the nature of the involvement of brain serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in quipazine action on these hyperkinetic disturbances.


Pubovaginal sling procedure for stress incontinence. Urinary stress incontinence associated with poor urethral sphincter function and indicated by a urethral pressure of less than 10 cm. water was treated in 52 cases with a pubovaginal autogenous fascial sling. No urethral sphincter function could be measured in 7 patients. Of these 52 patients 42 had undergone a previous operation for stress incontinence. The uninhibited detrusor dysfunction that accompanied the stress incontinence in 29 cases ceased after operation in 20 but persisted in 9. Postoperative urethral pressure measurements indicated that while the sling increased urethral pressure it did not cause an obstruction during voiding, since there was a measurable decrease in urethral pressure during a detrusor contraction. Urodynamic determination were useful in patient selection, in the adjustment of sling tension at operation and in the assessment of reasons for failure. A satisfactory result with good urinary control was obtained in 50 cases and the procedure was a failure in 2.


Clindamycin in infective endocarditis.

Clindamycin in infective endocarditis. Because of problems of penicillin allergy or lack of veins for intravenous administration of antibiotics, nine patients with endocarditis were treated with clindamycin, administered intramuscularly. Five patients were heroin addicts with staphylococcal endocarditis and four had alpha-streptococcal endocarditis. The only therapeutic failure occurred in a patient with a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that became resistant to clindamycin in vivo. Such resistance has been reported to occur in vitro, and testing for it should prove useful in proper selection of cases for treatment with clindamycin, an agent that appears to be effective in selected cases of endocarditis.


[Intravesical formalization. Three case histories (author's transl)]. A great many approaches have been suggested to stop the very pronounced hematuria which on occasion complicates bladder tumors and radiocystitis or drug induced cystitis. Some clinicians have recommended instilling diluted formol in the bladder. The writers report on their impressions of this method based on experience with three cases. They elucidate possible procedural guidelines taking into account various intervening complications.


[Characteristics of the course of hypertension in relation to on plasma renin activity]. In 94 patients with hypertension the plasma renin activity was determined by the Yu. A. Serebrovskaya and I.A. Uchitel technique, the glomerular filtration--after Rehberg, potassium and sodium content in blood serum and 24-hour urine samples--by flame photometry. Hypertensive disease was found to be accompanied by an elevated plasma renin activity in 47.9% of the patients, by a normal level--in 26.9%, and by a reduced--in 25.6%, as compared with control group data. Cardiovascular complicatins were found in 1/5 of those with an elevated plasma renin activity, and no such complications were observed in those with a normal or reduced renin activity. An elevated plasma renin activity is a risk factor. The highest mean age and the longest duration of the disease history are typical for patients with low plasma renin activity. To choose the most rational therapy regimen it may be useful to calculate the renin-sodium index that reflects the relationship between the plasma renin activity and the urine excretion of sodium.


[Change in the elastic-adhesive properties of the arteries and arterial pressure in hypertension at different periods of the day]. The 24-hour rhythm of values characterizing the elastic resistance of large arterial vessels and the arterial pressure was studied in 107 patients with hypertensive disease and in 79 normal persons by means of N.N. Savitsky's mechanocardiographic method. In healthy persons the hemodynamic values were marked by regular daily changes, while in those with hypertensive disease the daily rhythm of hemodynamics was considerably distorted, the degree and frequency of the disorder in the rhythm being dependent first and foremost on the severity of the disease. In patients with stage IB and stage IIA hypertensive disease a daily rhythm typical of a healthy person was retained, but the fluctuations in the values were of a higher level and range. The highest values of all indices were recorded in stages IIB and III and two variants of changes in the shape of the daily curve of arterial pressure and tone of arterial pressure were revealed; the first was characterized by the values being highest at night and in the early morning hours and lowest between 12 and 13 p.m., while the second, which was less frequent, corresponded to the shape of the daily curve peculiar to healthy persons.


[Acrodermatitis enteropathica in childhood (author's transl)]. A five months old infant is described with acrodermatitis enteropathica. The aetiology, pathogenesis and the clinical course of the disease is reported. It will be discussed the side effects of the oxychinolin therapy, the advantages and benefits of the substitution with zinc.


[The infantile chronic-visceral form of niemann-Pick diseases (author's transl)]. A report was made of three patients who exhibited pronounced heptosplenomegaly at the time of hospital admission: a six-year-old girl and two brothers, 1 year 4 months and 4 years 4 months of age. As is typical for Niemann-Pick disease, foam cells were found in the bone marrow and the liver biopsy specimens for the three patients. Since, however, none of the children had syptoms involving the central nervous systems, the disease must have been the rare B form of Niemann-Pick disease, the infantile chronic-visceral form. In all three patients, laboratory findings indicated a disturbance in hepatic function. The characteristic pulmonary involvement associated with the infantile form was found only in the two brothers, and then in a follow-up examination one year later. The reduced speed of nerve conduction established in the two brothers suggested subclinical involvement of the peripheral nervous system in the disease process. Electron-microscopic examinations of liver biopsies showed various forms of lipoid storage: lipoid bodies with loose, membranous structures and bodies with dense, concentrically arranged lamellae.


[Problems of enterectomy for diffuse peritonitis in children (author's transl)]. An analysis was made of the author's own patients with diffuse perforative peritonitis (without appendicitis) in childhood. Most patients had a perforated enterocolitis. Treatment of choice: Resectioning the perforated areas of the intestine or Resectioning the intestine just before the perforation; anastomosis in the septic area should not be carried out, instead an enterostomy with two lumina should be performed; intensive therapy; therapy for sepsis with exchange transfusion. The reanastomazation should take place only after the patient has fully recovered; definite criteria for evaluation, when this is the case, were presented. The mortality rate for the author's cases was 46%; statistics taken from international literature indicate a mortality rate of 65%.


[Results of inadequate aftercare following surgical correction of proctatresia (author's transl)]. For deep proctatresia, postoperative aftercare consisting of adequate, long-term bougienage is important. On the basis of 10 cases, it was shown that inadequate postoperative bougienage for proctatresia leads to formation of a megacolon and to overflow incontinence. The incontinence can then only be controlled by carrying out a proctectomy and a sigmoidectomy together with surgical formation of the gracilis. This proved to be satisfactory for all 10 cases presented.


[Ophthalmologic follow-up examination in galactosemia (author's transl)]. In 1966, Thalhammer foundet "The Austrian Newborn Screening Program." Since 1969, we have examined 18 infants with galactosemia at 6 month to 8 year intervals. Even dense lens opacities often disappear with the correct dietary adjustment; progression of the cataract indicates failure to adhere to the prescribed diet.


[Allergy to insect stings (author's transl)]. Generalised reactions after an insect bite call for an exact diagnosis: nonspecific general reactions must be distinguished from true allergic reactions. 12 children with allergic reactions to bee and/or wasp stings were investigated. The results of the skin tests and the allergen-specific IgE determinations were compared and found to vary distinctly in some cases. In addition to immediate therapy (emergency pharmacy), specific hyposensitization over several years is indicated. Observation of the course of IgE antibodies is presented.


49, XXXXY syndrome in a 1 year-old infant. Clinical signs of developmental anomalies found in the 49, XXXXY patients have been reported based on the author's case.


[Alteration of platelet function during intensive replacement therapy in haemophilia A (author's transl)]. This report describes two patients with haemophilia A who developed a transient thrombocytopathy with haemorrhagic diathesis during post-operative high-dose replacement therapy with antihaemophilic globulin. At the time of the bleeding the factor VIII-activity was in the normal range in both patients. The fibrinogen level, however, was elevated to 1700 mg-% and the factor VIII-associated antigen rose to more than 6-fold. At no time of replacement therapy with antihaemophilic globulin could either fibrinogen split products or fragments of the factor VIII-protein be detected by the usual methods. In view of the results of the thrombocyte aggregation experiments the authors postulate a disturbance of platelet function at the level of the membrane surface due to an overload of increased amounts of circulating proteins. Both the possible interference of dialysable factor VIII-components and the role of immunpathologic phenomena are discussed.


The type II epithelial cells of the lung. IV. Adaption and behavior of isolated type II cells in culture. Type II lung epithelial cells were isolated from rabbit lungs using the method of Kikkawa and Yoneda (Kikkawa Y, Yoneda K: Lab Invest 30: 76, 1974). Successful primary cultures were obtained only after utilizing high density cell plating (greater than 3 X 10(5) viable cells per sq. cm.) and allowing an attachment time of 48 hours. Attachment efficiency of the isolated cell preparations was highest when medium was supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. These conditions enabled us to obtain consistently successful primary type II lung cell cultures. Cultures were monitored for a period of 2 weeks after initiation. Light, phase, and electron microscopy examination demonstrated that these primary cultures were indeed type II cells. The principal morphologic feature was the presence of dense lamellar granules in these cells. These primary cultures retained the characteristic type II features for 3 to 5 days in vitro, after which cultures exhibited a progressive deterioration and loss of their phenotypic properties. This behavioral pattern of type II cells in culture may represent both accelerated proliferation and accelerated transformation of these cells into type I epithelial cells.


Comparative pharmacologic effects on tissue factor activity in normal cells and an established cell line. The tissue factor (thromboplastin) activity of cells grown in vitro is modulated by exogenous drugs. The activity of human foreskin fibroblasts and umbilical vein smooth muscle cells is enhanced by 10(-6) M hydrocortisone or 1 mM butyrate. Activity is suppressed in these cells by 10(-6) M colchicine whereas 10(-4) M chloroquine has little or no effect. Two established cell lines, WISH or HeLa cells, have elevated tissue factor activity in the presence of colchicine or chloroquine and suppressed activity with exogenous hydrocortisone. Their activity is also decreased by 10 mM butyrate whereas 1 mM butyrate does not alter activity. Colchicine and butyrate apparently act via a mechanism unrelated to their effect on microtubules since it is possible to dissociate activity changes from morphologic changes. Umbilical vein endothelial cell tissue factor activity responds uniquely to exogenous drugs. Hydrocortisone or 10(-5) M vinblastine (or colchicine) only minimally alters activity. Endothelial cells are not simply refractory toward all drugs, however, since chloroquine dramatically enhances activity whereas 1 mM butyrate suppresses it. The low specific activity of endothelial cells and their apparently unique drug response may be another measure of their function as an in vivo hemostatic barrier.


[Sleep as an index of the central nervous system reaction of the dog to the action of stress factors]. Continuous round-the-clock polygraphic monitoring of sleep and wakefulness was done once a week from four dogs which for a month were kept under isolated and confined conditions. Significant differences were found in the dynamics of representation of various sleep stages that depended on the typological characteristics of the higher nervous activity and related patterns of adaptation to stress-effects. The findings show that sleep studies are promising for the selection of flight animals and for objective evaluation of their adaptive capacity.


Cell surface carbohydrates of preimplantation embryos as assessed by lectin binding. Preimplantation embryos were obtained from the uteri and oviducts of 2 strains of mice, Swiss CD-1 and B6CBA. After removal of the zona pellucida by treatment with pronase, FITC-lectins were bound to the embryonic cell surfaces at either 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C. Both morula and blastocyst stage embryos bound the following lectins, FITC-ConA, FITC-WGA, FITC-RCAII and FITC-RCAI. No difference in binding was observed between the morula stage and the blastocyst stage within each mouse strain for each specific lectin. However B6CBA embryos bound less FITC-ConA and FITC-WGA than the corresponding Swiss CD-1 embryos. The topographical arrangement of the lectin receptors was observed to differ between 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C for FITC-ConA, FITC-RCAII, and FITC-RCAI. While lectins bound at 4 degrees C showed a pattern of continuous labeling, the same lectin at 37 degrees C showed aggregation of lectin receptors into patches indicating lateral mobility of these receptors within the embryonic cell membranes. In contrast FITC-WGA bound at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C demonstrated continuous labeling of embryos at both temperatures. FITC-fucose binding protein did not bind to Swiss CD-1 embryos. The invasiveness of trophoblastic cells of mouse blastocysts was studied by culturing isolated embryos without prior enzyme treatment on reconstituted collagen gels. After 4 days in BME containing only glutamine and bovine serum albumin as supplements, the embryos shed their zona pellucida and implanted into the collagen gel as indicated by zones of lysis in proximity to the embryonic cells when analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.


The effects of short-term isolation on systolic blood pressure and heart rate in rats. The effect of short-term isolation on the systolic blood pressure and heart rate of rats has been studied. Five days continuous isolation in glass metabolic cages caused systolic arterial hypertension in all animals. Isolation in standard cages for this time period caused hypertension, but only in 55% of the animals. Both forms of isolation caused an initial tachycardia. Handling and contact with other animals for 1 hr daily prevented the development of hypertension in some animals but did not alter the blood pressure once the hypertension had developed. Group-housing of animals after a 3 week period of isolation restored blood pressure to control levels within 24 hr. It is possible that stress imposed by isolation activated the sympatho-adrenal system and thereby caused these changes.


[Atigenic relationship among Torulopsis insectalen, Torulopsis musae and several other Torulopsis strains (author's transl)]. In this paper, the antigenic relationship among standard T. insectalens and T. musae strains and other 11 standard Torulopsis are investigated using simultaneous agglutination and absorption experiments. These experiments also showed that T. insectalens and T. musae have special antigenic fractions, different from Torulopsis antigens.


[Synthesis of intracellular and extracellular metabolites by Rhodotorula glutinis]. A close relationship has been established between the production of extracellular and intracellular lipids and polysaccharides by Rhodotorula glutinis. Their synthesis depended on the pH of the medium. The composition and dynamics of polyol content in the cells, and the presence of acids typical of exolipids in the composition of intracellular lipids under certain conditions, suggest that the components of extracellular lipids are synthesized within the yeast cell.


[Biochemical and morphological characteristics of Endomycopsis fibuliger growing on media containing ethanol or starch]. Differences in growth and glucoamylase synthesis were studied with Endomycopsis fibuliger R-574 growing on media containing ethanol or starch under conditions of periodic or continuous cultivation. The activity of certain enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbon sources was studied as well as the pathways of starch and ethanol metabolism. The morphology and ultrastructure of the cells were investigated during their growth in the media containing starch or ethanol.


[Subcutaneous abscess due to dematiacious fungi. Report of two cases]. Two cases of subcutaneous abscesses due to dematiaceous fungi are presented. The first, localized in the elbow, exhibited the characteristic microscopic picture of the disorder. The second was localized in the sole, but histologically it showed well-organized mycotic granules much like those reported for eumycetoma. Both patients were asymptomatic and the clinical diagnosis was erroneous. The morphologic, clinical and etiologic aspects are discussed in the text. These cases indicate the need to consider mycotic infections in the differential diagnosis of all lesions which clinically resemble subcutaneous abscesses, so that proper mycological studies can be done and the relationship between the process and the various etiologic agents implicated can be clarified.


6-Methylpurine-induced inhibition of sclerotia morphogenesis in Sclerotium rolfsii and its reversal by adenosine. In liquid synthetic medium inoculated with Sclerotium rolfsii (SR), addition of 6-methylpurine (MP, 50microgram/ml) immediately after inoculation led to approximately 100% reduction in sclerotia production. Adenosine, and to a lesser extent guanosine, each at final concentration of 100microgram/ml significantly reduced inhibition of sclerotia formation by SR in presence of 50microgram/ml MP. Uridine and cytidine each at 100microgram/ml had no such effect. The inhibition of sclerotia morphogenesis could be prevented by addition of 800microgram/ml of adenosine together with 50microgram/ml MP. Reversal by adenosine of MP-induced inhibition of sclerotia development was concentration dependent.


Experimental infection of white mouse with Chrysosporium and Paecilomyces. SPF white mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 5 strains of saprophytic fungi of the mycelial genera Chrysosporium (C. keratinophilum, C. tropicum) and Paecilomyces (P. lilacinus, P. marquandii, P. victoriae). The fungi caused granulomatous lesions in the peritoneal cavity and they were recultured (except P. lilacinus and P. marquandii) two months after inoculation. Spores, short hyphae and budding cells of all the fungi were observed in the granulomas stained by periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) and methenamine-silver nitrate (Grocott) techniques.


X-chromosome inactivation during differentiation of female teratocarcinoma stem cells in vitro. Evidence is presented that both X chromosomes are genetically active in clonal cultures of undifferentiated female mouse teratocarcinoma stem cells derived from a spontaneous ovarian tumour. As the cells differentiate in vitro one of the X chromosomes becomes inactivated.


The effect of chronic ethanol treatment on behaviour and central monoamines in the rat. Rats weaned at 16 days of age were treated with various ethanol concentrations (8--24% w/v) for 270 days. The effect of the chronic ethanol treatment on the growth rate, the diurnal pattern of drinking, the open field activity, and the conditioned avoidance acquisition and retention of the rats were studied. Termination of the chronic ethanol administration caused two types of withdrawal syndromes. The first, an acute withdrawal syndrome was observed within 12 h after the discontinuation of the ethanol treatment and was characterized by extreme hyperexcitability. The second, a delayed withdrawal syndrome was characterized by a more coordinated behavioural stimulation and developed first after about 3 days after the discontinuation of the ethanol treatment. Biochemically, the latter withdrawal syndrome was accompanied by an increased rate of tyrosine hydroxylation (measured as the accumulation of dopa after inhibition of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase) in the striatum and dopamine-rich limbic structures. No differences in the accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptophan were observed. Furthermore, there was an increased level of dopamine concomitant with a decreased level of noradrenaline in the limbic areas during ongoing ethanol treatment. On the 4th day after withdrawal of ethanol the endogenous levels of dopamine and noradrenaline were statistically significantly reduced in the limbic structures. The data of the present study indicate that chronic ethanol administration induces various kinds of behavioural changes and that these changes at least partially are mediated via central catecholamine mechanisms.


Radioimmunoassay of enkephalins. Regional distribution in rat brain after morphine treatment and hypophysectomy. Using highly sensitive and highly specific antisera methionine- and leucine-enkephalin levels were determined in various areas of the rat brain. The highest content of both enkephalins was found in the striatum and the hypothalamus, whereas in the hippocampus, the cerebellum and the cortex only a low content was present. The ratio methionine-enkephalin/leucine-enkephalin was about three. Neither acute or chronic morphine treatment nor precipitated morphine withdrawal induced significant changes in enkephalin levels in any brain region. Also hypophysectomy did not affect the enkephalin content of the various brain regions.


Multiple sclerosis among Orientals and Caucasians in Hawaii: a reappraisal. A comparative retrospective study of Oriental and Caucasian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) failed to reveal significant differences between the two groups regarding historical data, such as sex ratio, mode of onset, age at onset, duration of illness, and clinical course, suggesting that MS is essentially the same disease in both groups. However, certain clinical features were more frequent in Orientals: Severe bilateral optic nerve involvement; acute transverse myelopathy, especially of a recurrent nature; clear-cut sensory levels; and optic-spinal-brainstem and optic-spinal involvement. Environmental factors may also be responsible.


Recurrent meningitis due to an intracranial epidermoid. The association of intracranial dermoids and epidermoids and recurrent meningitis is usually related to the presence of dermal sinuses that allow bacterial entry. Epidermoid cysts rarely discharge their contents into subarachnoid space to cause meningitis, except after surgical removal. We describe a child who had 10 separate episodes of chemical meningitis between age 13 months and her death at age 2 years 9 months. Death was caused by an intra-axial epidermoid in the ventral pons which had ruptured into the subarachnoid space, as shown at autopsy. There was no evidence of sinus tracts, and radiographic studies revealed no mass.


The neuropathology of the nonketotic and ketotic hyperglycinemias: three cases. Abnormal dysmyelination constitutes a pathoanatomic basis for the mental retardation in two different aminoacidopathies, nonketotic hyperglycinemia and ketotic hyperglycinemia. In both conditions myelin is decreased in amount and vacuolated. Similar patterns of dysmyelination in different aminoacidopathies suggest that abnormal myelination results from inadequate synthesis of myelin proteins.


Muscle carnitine deficiency and fatal cardiomyopathy. A 23-month-old boy with progressive muscle weakness and severe cardiomyopathy was found to have oil red O positive vacuoles predominantly in type 1 muscle fibers. Serum carnitine was normal, but muscle carnitine content was decreased. Both parents were clinically normal, but the muscle carnitine level was low in the father. Despite oral treatment with carnitine, the condition progressed and was fatal. At autopsy, cardiac muscle showed borderline low carnitine content and numerous mitochondria, but no lipid accumulation.


Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease with Leber optic atrophy. A family is described in which visual failure was associated with hypertrophic Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The diagnosis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease was confirmed by electrophysiologic studies and by quantitative histologic studies of sural nerve biopsies. The clinical features and mode of inheritance of the visual failure were those of Leber optic atrophy. The two conditions were inherited independently.


Traumatic vertebrobasilar occlusive disease in childhood. Vigorous gymnastics and repeated manipulations of the cervical spine by a chiropractor were associated with headaches and transient cranial nerve deficits in a 7-year-old boy who had a history of birth trauma. Progressive cerebellar dysfunction was later accompanied by a visual field defect. A computerized axial tomography scan revealed a cerebellar infarction, and arteriograms showed vertebral and basilar occlusions. Passive stretching of the cervical spine during chiropractic maneuvers may lead to vertebral artery thrombosis with subsequent embolization into the basilar artery circulation.


Complex partial status epilepticus (psychomotor status). A 20-year-old mentally retarded woman, who had a history of intractable epileptic seizures since early childhood, had prolonged episodes of confusion, decreased responsiveness and automatic behavior lasting as long as 2 days. These are believed to represent epileptic status of the complex partial (psychomotor) type because the electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded during two such periods showed continuous high amplitude, semirhythmic, 4 to 6 cycles per second (cps), spike activity over both frontotemporal regions; several interictal tracings revealed a consistent spike focus in the right anterior temporal area. Diazepam given intravenously during one such episode terminated both the abnormal behavior and the ictal discharges in the EEG.


Propranolol for severe post-head injury action tremor. Two children developed persistent, incapacitating, upper extremity tremor following severe head injury from bicycle-automobile collision accidents. Both responded well to treatment with the beta blocking agent, propranolol, improving motor control in school and self-care tasks.


Myoglobinuria and renal failure after status epilepticus. Acute renal failure developed in a 28-year-old man after status epilepticus. Myoglobinuria was contributed to by convulsions, trauma and coma during status epilepticus, the three mechanisms responsible for this condition.


Congenital malformations, abnormal glucose tolerance, and estriol excretion in pregnancy. Study of 10,454 consecutive newborn infants showed that 4.1% had a major malformation and 6.5% had a minor malformation. The incidence of major fetal malformations was increased in stillborn infants (14.1%), neonatal deaths (36.7%), and dysmature infants (8.6%), and when there was maternal hypoglycemia (5.8%, hyperglycemia (5.8%), or subnormal urinary estriol excretion (9.8%). Minor malformations were associated with fetal dysmaturity (9.7%) and subnormal estriol excretion (8.8%). Abnormalities of maternal glucose tolerance and urinary estriol excretion were associated with specific types of major malformations. These data showed that hypoglycemia was as important as hyperglycemia in the etiology of fetal malformations.


Renal anomalies in the "XY female".

Renal anomalies in the "XY female". Renal and urinary tract anomalies have been reported to occur with a number of chromosomal abberations and a variety of müllerian developmental anomalies. Historically, the XY female has been privileged to remain free from these associated urologic complications. Presented are two types of the XY female in whom a major renal anomaly was found. It is possible that a potentially more frequent association of developmental anomalies has been overlooked. The urinary systems of XY females, when identified, should be investigated.


An investigation of job satisfaction factors in an incident of mass psychogenic illness at the workplace. An investigation was undertaken of an apparent outbreak of contagious psychogenic illness at an electronics plant in which approximately 50 females reported a variety of subjective nonspecific symptoms. The workers believed that the physical symptomatology was triggered by an unidentified odor in the plant which was not verified by environmental sampling for chemicals or by medical evaluations of affected workers. A random sample of non-affected and affected workers was surveyed by means of psychological health status inventories and epidemiological indices to determine the role that life-history, personality characteristics and job dissatisfaction had on susceptibility to illness. Results indicated that those workers reporting the highest level of perceived stress due to job dissatisfaction, family problems, and personal conflict were most likely to experience somatic symptoms. In the present study sources of dissatisfaction identified as potential precipitating factors of the illness outbreak were: 1) working conditions, 2) supervisory style, and 3) personal lifestyle.


Physiology factors that influence blood pressure alterations. In summary, hypertension is a disproportion between vascular capacity and blood volume. Only a small number of cases are secondary to specific diseases. The vast majority of patients have so-called "essential hypertension". In many cases the causative agent seems to be aldosterone, renin. Angiotensin II or other pressor agents. Psychosocial elements probably play important roles in the etiology of essential hypertension. Hypertension together with other factors are etiological of both tensive and atherosclerotic, cerebro, reno, and cardiovascular complications. Finally, industries and their workers are heavy losers to this disease, through lost wages, lost productivity and prodigious medical expenses.


The formalin test: a quantitative study of the analgesic effects of morphine, meperidine, and brain stem stimulation in rats and cats. A method for assessing pain and analgesia in rats and cats is described. The procedure involves subcutaneous injection of dilute formalin into the forepaw, after which the animal's responses are rated according to objective behavioral criteria. The formalin test is a statistically valid technique which has two advantages over other pain tests: (1) little or no restraint is necessary, permitting unhindered observation of the complete range of behavioral responses; and (2) the pain stimulus is continuous rather than transient, thus bearing greater resemblance to most clinical pain. The analgesic effects of morphine, meperidine, and stimulation of the periaqueductal grey matter are evaluated using this test.


Respiration and carbohydrate energy metabolism of the lung-dwelling parasite Rhabdias bufonis (Nematoda: Rhabdiasoidea). An investigation of the carbohydrate energy metabolism of Rhabdias bufonis, the lung-dwelling nematode parasite of the African toad, Bufo regularis, indicates that the nematode stores very little glycogen (0.137 +/- 0.003% on a fresh weight basis) but does utilize oxygen in vitro. The intracellular distribution and high levels of activity observed for the enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and fumarate reductase suggest two alternative pathways of carbohydrate energy metabolism.


Dipetalonema viteae infection in hamsters: enhancement and suppression of microfilaraemia. Mature male Dipetalonema viteae released a substance(s) which caused enhanced microfilaraemia in infected hamsters. In hamsters implanted with female D. viteae, the microfilaraemia of a subsequent infection was suppressed. The microfilaraemia of female worms implanted in hamsters was depressed within 5 days when the animals were given a further infection with infective larvae.


[Parasitism of gordiids in the larvae of Tabanus autumnalis L. horseflies]. For the first time data are given on the infection of larvae of gad flies with two species of Gordius sp. The infection intensity of larvae collected near water bodies at the low reaches of the Desna river was from 20 to 66.7%. The data obtained on the intra-cavity developmental period of Nematomorpha as well as on the infection intensity are of great interest due to unsufficient information on this phenomenon.


Iron absorption from human milk, simulated human milk, and proprietary formulas. Studies from our laboratory have shown that iron is better absorbed from human milk than from cow milk and that human milk can provide insufficient iron for infants during their first year. We compared iron availability from human milk with that from other formulas and determined the factors responsible for its superiority. Adults were fed 100 ml of human milk, simulated human milk, simulated human milk containing added lactoferrin, two commercial formulas containing iron, 12 mg/qt, and human milk that had been boiled. The simulated human milk resembled human milk in concentration of protein, fat, carbohydrate, iron, total minerals, calcium, and phosphorus. Iron 59 was added to each feeding and iron incorporation into RBCs was determined 14 days after each feeding. Percent iron absorption was highest from human milk and lowest from the commercial formulas. The simulated human milk supported a 9.0% absorption; addition of lactoferrin reduced this to 4.7%. Net iron absorption was 0.12 mg/liter from human milk and 0.40 and 0.37 mg/liter from the iron-enriched commercial formulas. Absorption of iron from boiled human milk was the same as from the unboiled milk. This study confirms the unique ability of human milk to promote iron absorption. Simple manipulation of the protein, fat, lactose, calcium, phosphorus, or lactoferrin content of proprietary milk did not reproduce the iron absorption demonstrated with human milk.


Dieldrin residues in soybeans in Illinois, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, and 1974. The Illinois soybean crop was monitored in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, and 1974 for dieldrin residues resulting from aldrin applied to corn in the years before soybean cultivation. Residue levels of dieldrin in soybeans increased between 1965 and 1974. The percent of fields which had soybeans with a dieldrin level above 0.03 ppm increased between 1965 and 1974. Dieldrin residue levels in soybeans grown in Illinois are expected to decline now that the use of aldrin has diminished and will soon cease. No significant correlation was evident between the dieldrin levels in soybeans and the area of the State where they had grown, the date of planting, or the variety.


Plasma kinetics of exogenous bovine parathyroid hormone in calves. The metabolism of purified bovine parathyroid hormone-(1-84) [bPTH-(1-84)] administered i.v. by constant infusions or rapid injections was investigated in 11 normocalcemic calves. Plasma kinetics of bPTH-(1-84) were derived with a radioimmunoassay system which recognised the intact hormone but no fragments. The metabolic clearance rates ranged from 9.1-22.9 ml/min/kg. The disappearance of the intact hormone and the reversible appearance of its NH2- and COOH-terminal fragments was investigated with additional and specific radioimmunoassay systems. At 2 min after the i.v. injection of bPTH-(1-84) a NH2-terminal fragment (M approximately 3500) was recognised and at 4 and 20 min COOH-terminal fragments (M approximately 7000 and 3500, respectively) were detected. The survival time in the circulation of the intact hormone and of its fragments was comparable. In conclusion, bovine bPTH-(1-84) and its NH2- and COOH-terminal fragments are metabolised in normocalcemic calves within minutes.


Pumped movements of sodium and potassium ions in the isolated epithelium of the frog skin. The action of agents with well known effects on transepithelial Na transport was tested on Na extrusion in epithelial cells of the frog skin. The cells had been previously loaded with Na by incubation in cold, K-free solutions. DNP (5 X 10(-4)M) totally inhibited Na extrusion and K uptake, while amiloride (10(-5) M) did not show any effect on either of these processes. Ouabain (10(-6)M) and absence of K from the medium inhibited completely Na extrusion and K uptake without changing cell water content. Probably the most interesting finding is that K activated Na extrusion along a sigmoid curve, which suggests that, as in other cells, the Na pump of these epithelial cells has 2 sites for K activation. The half-activation concentration of the site with highest affinity was 0.27 mM, the other 1.3 mM. Na extrusion significantly exceeded K uptake either at low K in the medium or during initial recovery in normal K Ringer. This may indicate an electrogenic mode of pump activity.


Three-gas diffusion--experimental and theoretical study. The purpose of this work was to compare experimental diffusion among three gases with the solution given by Stefan's equations to understand better how this phenomenon can work in the multicomponent alveolar gas. Experiments were performed in a cylinder full of beads open at one end and closed at the other in which a mixture of oxygen with helium or argon or sulphur hexafluoride could diffuse with ambient air through the open end. We solved Stefan's equations for the non-steady state by a finite-difference method and applied them to our experimental conditions with diffusion coefficients we had measured in binary experiments. We then made experiments and calculations to show the influence of the beads on gas transport. Provided that diffusion is the only phenomenon, experimental and theoretical curves are very close together. Moreover beads nearly stop motions due to vortices or small differences of density. We conclude that: Stefan's equations should replace Fick's equations when more than two gases are involved. One should bear in mind the possible influence of gravity and devise diffusion experiments accordingly. In small spaces such as alveoli the influence of gravity must be negligible compared to diffusion.


Single nephron filtration, luminal flow and tubular fluid reabsorption along the proximal convolution and the pars recta of the rat kidney as influenced by luminal pressure changes. Intratubular pressures were measured in free flow and after blockade of tubular flow at different distances from the glomerulum in the kidney of Wistar rats. Free flow pressure was ffp = 13.3 +/- 2.5 Torr and stop flow pressure sfp = 41.7 +/- 3.8 Torr. With increasing distance of the blockade from the glomerulum the intratubular pressure decreased being 22.4 +/- 2.1 Torr, when the tubule was blocked at the end of the pars recta. In a second series single nephron filtration rate (gfr) and late proximal flow rates (V) were measured at different intratubular pressures. Free flow gfrf was 26.5 +/- 5.9 nl/min and Vf = 14.7 +/- 4.0 nl/min. The difference of these flow rates divided by tubular length results in a local reabsorption rate of C = 2.9 +/- 0.9 nl/min-mm in the proximal convolution. In the pars recta local reabsorbtion rate was 1.0 +/- 0.3 nl/min-mm. In the proximal convolution C increased with increasing intratubular pressure: deltaC/deltaitp = (2.7 +/- 1.2)-10(-2) nl/min-mm-Torr. Filtration was in disequilibrium in these animals under all conditions examined, hydraulic filtration conductance was K = 1.2 +/- 0.4 nl/min-Torr. Modified methods have been used for intratubular pressure and for flow rate measurements in order to reduce experimental procedure. It is shown, that fractional reabsorption, calculated on the basis of pressure measurements, is a good approximation to results usually obtained by inulin measurements.


Angiotensin II induced reduction of peritubular capillary diameter in the rat kidney. Large peritubular capillaries were infused consecutively (20 nl-min-1) in random sequence with isotonic saline and angiotensin II (20-80 ng-ml-1). The diameters of the infused capillaries were measured, without knowledge of the infusate used, from colour photographs of the infused area. Angiotensin II induced a significant (p less than 0.001) decrease in capillary diameter (delta = 1.2 +/- 0.2 (SE) micron and delta = 2.1 +/- 0.2 (SE) micron with 20 ng-ml-1 and 80 ng-ml-1 angiotensin II infusates, respectively). This decrease was shown to be independent of external tubular compression: separate experiments in which the surrounding tubules were collapsed by injection of oil blocks yielded similar results. The possibility that the observed reduction in diameter was caused by an angiotensin II induced change in capillary permeability to the staining solution was excluded, since the angiotensin II effect was unchanged when fluorescent dextran (mol. wt. 150 000) was substituted for lissamin green. These experiments indicate that peritubular capillaries contract actively when infused with angiotensin II.


The effect of elevated outflow pressure on flow resistance and the transfer of THO, albumin and glucose in the isolated guinea pig placenta. In the isolated, artificially perfused guinea pig placenta the relationship between arterial pressures, venous pressures and the relative transfer of 3H2O, D-glucose and albumin was studied at constant arterial perfusion rates. The results were as follows: A. Elevation of the fetal venous pressure induces an increase of flow resistance at the maternal side. Fetal perfusion resistance is raised by elevated pressure in the uterine vein also, the effect is much more pronounced, however. B. When the outflow resistance increases, a net transfer of water especially from the fetal to the maternal side can be observed. The relationship between the venous pressure difference and the rate of filtration is non-linear. C. The fetomaternal transfer of 131J-albumin and of 3H2O resp. D-glucose is influenced by fetomaternal filtration to a different degree. Whereas the albumin transfer increases strongly, the transfer rates of tritiated water and glucose change little.


The effect of intraspinal microinjections of 6-hydroxydopamine on the inhibitory influence exerted on spinal sympathetic activity by the baroreceptors. 1. The inhibition of spinal somato-sympathetic reflex activity, following electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve in cats has been studied before and after chronic intraspinal microinjections of 6-hydroxydopamine into the cervical spinal cord. 2. The effect of these microinjections on bulbospinal catecholaminergic neurones was assessed using the formaldehyde fluorescence technique for the demonstration of intraneuronal monoamines. 3. In 5 6-hydroxydopamine-treated animals, inhibition of the spinal sympathetic reflex response following stimulation of the sinus nerve was reduced compared to control untreated animals. When damage to the bulbo-spinal catecholamine system in the dorso-lateral funiculi was extensive, the inhibition was almost completely abolished; with more limited destruction a lesser effect was observed. 4. These effects were not seen in a group of control animals, which received intraspinal microinjections of the 5-hydroxytryptamine neurotoxin 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine and which showed damage to the indoleaminergic neuronal system but no damage to the bulbo-spinal catecholaminergic system. 5. It is concluded that the inhibitory effects of the baroreceptors on spinal sympathetic activity are mediated by bulbo-spinal catecholaminergic neurones.


Hypothalamic control of plasma renin activity. The participation of the hypothalamus in the regulation of plasma renin activity (PRA) in rats was studied by applying electric stimulation to the supramammilar region (50 Hz, 1 ms, 150 muA), general hypoxia (90% N2 + 10% O2), and hypovolemia (peritoneal dialysis with 5.5% glucose) as stimuli of renin secretion. These techniques were combined with bilateral renal denervation and electrocoagulation in the supramammilar nuclei. PRA was determined by means of RIA (Radioimmunoassay) for AI with 2-h incubation. Our investigations showed that: 1. Electric stimulation, hypoxia and hypovolemia cause an increase of PRA against the controls by 127%, 465% and 197%, respectively. 2. After electrocoagulation the hypoxic stimulus remains ineffective, whereas hypovolemia is manifested. 3. Electric stimulation in rats with denervated kidneys produces no effect. These results suggested that: a) Diminution of the extracellular volume, without hypoxia, is in itself a powerful stimulus of renin secretion. b) The posterior hypothalamus is closely connected with the regulation of PRA as an obligatory unlocking link of the reaction by the organism to general hypoxic stimuli. The control function of the hypothalamus is realized in this case by means of the sympathetic part of the vegetative nervous system.


Respiratory mechanics measured by a simple device. A simple and inexpensive apparatus is described which permits the semi-automatic measurements of pulmonary dynamic compliance (Cdyn) and airway resistance (Raw) while rapid changes of these factors during the experimental induction of pneumopathies can be followed. A diaphragm is used as a pneumotachograph because it was found to be quite sensitive and pulmonary secretions did not disturb the measurements. Volume base line drift is prevented.


A pharmacological study of the control of nasal cooling in the dog. Air temperature differences between the internal and external nars (Ti-e), a qualitative measure of nasal blood flow, and the rate and ionic content of the mucous secretion of the lateral nasal gland, were determined in conscious, chronically instrumented dogs at both 25 degrees C and 42 degrees C environmental temperature, before and after administration of epinephrine, propanolol, phenoxybenzamine, acetylcholine and atropine. B. At 25 degrees C, epinephrine increased Ti-e. This was unaffected by propranolol, but returned to control values with phenoxybenzamine. Acetylcholine and atropine had no effect. At 42 degrees C, acetylcholine increased Ti-e; this was not reversed with atropine. Epinephrine caused a slight decrease in Ti-e at 42 degrees C. C. acetylcholine reduced mucous flow at 25 degrees C; atropine further decreased the flow. Changes in ionic content of the mucous suggest that cholinergic mechanisms affect pressure in the excretory duct of the gland. Epinephrine decreased the mucous flow at 42 degrees C; this was reversed with propranolol. D. It was concluded that nasal blood flow and lateral nasal gland mucous flow both possess sympathetic tone at 25 degrees C, the former being alpha-adrenergic, the latter beta-adrenergic. This tone appears important in reducing heat and water loss under normal conditions, and its reduction at high temperatures allows maximum efficiency of nasal cooling. The role of the parasympathetic system in respiratory heat and water exchange in the dog appears somewhat equivocal.


The influence of extrafusal muscle activity on discharge patterns of primary muscle spindle endings. The influence of extrafusal muscle activity in anaemically decerebrate cats upon discharge patterns of primary spindle endings was ascertained by simultaneously recording spike trains from several Ia afferents and muscle tension fluctuations of the triceps-surae muscle. 1. Tension fluctuations were averaged with respect to spikes from primary endings yielding tension "trajectories" of specific shape for each spindle and probably reflecting frequently recurring mechanical events in the spindles' surroundings. 2. Spindles situated in close vicinity and influenced by similar mechanical events as evidenced by similar average tension trajectories are correlated in their discharge patterns to a degree depending on the strength of their mechanical coupling. 3. The modulation of spindle discharge frequency in response to average tension changes at the muscle tendon is very different in amplitude for different spindles; this response may show a high sensitivity. It is usually phase advanced by 90-180 degrees with respect to the "internal length" changes; between spindles ther may be phase differences of up to 180 degrees. 4. It is concluded that primary endings react very sensitively to local extrafusal events. The CNS receives much more accurate information about these events in the correlation of several Ia afferents than in the discharge of a single fibre.


On the distribution of thyroglobin and larger iodoproteins in single rat thyroid follicles. The distribution of the large iodoproteins in the lumen of thyroid follicles was tested. Samples of the colloid in rat thyroid follicles were obtained in vivo by micropuncture of superficial follicles in the isthmus of the gland. One sample was collected per follicle and several follicles were punctured in each gland. The protein composition of the samples was analysed by microgel electrophoresis. The protein separation patterns were recorded by microdensitometry after staining of the proteins and the amount of protein in the fractions was estimated from the densitometric recordings. Thyroglobulin (TG) and the aggregates of TG--here designated the S-TG fractions--were present in all samples of colloid. It was observed that there was a significant positive co-variation between TG and S-TG when the colloid contained only TG, S-TG and a prealbumin fraction. When the albumin-like protein was present in the samples the co-variation was less significant. The results show that the relative amount of the aggregates of TG is constant in the albumin free colloid and that these aggregates most probably are randomly distributed in the follicle lumen. The results further indicate that the aggregates of TG are non-randomly distributed in the larger peripheral follicles when the colloid contains the albumin-like protein.


A second order model of the optic generator potential and its relation to Stevens' power function. The component PIII of the electroretinogram representing the optic generator potential was recorded after stimulation with short stimuli with different light intensity. It is shown that the impulse response function of a linear second order model with intensity-dependent coefficients can be well fit to the recordings. Two of its parameters, after logarithmic transformations, are linearly dependent on the luminance while the third parameter varies only within a small interval. It is therefore possible to describe the relation between PIII and luminance in a linearized second order model. Furthermore, both the type of the function relating the gain of the  model to the luminance and its exponent are nearly identical with the psychophysic function relating luminance to subjective brightness. Further physiological implications are also considered.


The area postrema and control of arterial blood pressure; absence of hypertension after excision of the area postrema in rats. Acute surgical excision of the area postrema (AP) in the rat failed to affect arterial blood pressure or heart rate. The was no effect on cardiovascular reflex responses during diving or on the heart rate responses to acute decreases or increases of blood pressure caused by bradykinin or angiotensin, respectively. Electrolytic lesions of the AP in acute experiments caused variable damage to the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). In these rats large variations in blood pressure occurred. Excision of the AP in a chronic experiment failed to change blood pressure, heart rate, water intake or plasma renin activity. In contrast, bilateral electrolytic lesions of the NTS at the level of the AP caused a severe acute hypertension and completely blocked cardiovascular reflex responses. Hypertension also existed in rats with NTS lesions studied for a longer period of time. There experiments failed to confirm the hypothesis that the AP exerts a tonic inhibitory control of basal blood pressure. Hypertension previously reported after ablation of the AP may be explained by damage to the NTS.