The extrasplanchnic origin of blood dihydrotestosterone in elderly men. The splanchnic extraction and interconversion of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were studied in 5 elderly men undergoing cardiac catheterization using a constant infusion of [1,2-3H] testosterone and [4-14C] DHT. Metabolic clearance rate (MCR), splanchnic extraction (SE), splanchnic clearance (SC), extrasplanchnic clearance (ESC), transfer constant in blood ([p] T-DHT BB) and transfer constant across the liver ([p] T-DHT SB) were calculated. The MCRT was 675 +/- 108 (mean +/- SC) L/day and MCRDHT was 409 +/- 68 L/day. SET was 45.9 +/- 7.0% and SEDHT was 18.5 +/- 5.4%. When these values are compared with those recently reported by us for normal men, there is a 1/3 reduction in SET and 1/2 reduction for SEDHT in elderly men. The calculated SCT and ESCT were 355 +/- 72 L/day and 320 +/- 86 L/day, respectively. SCDHT and ESCDHT were 145 +/- 48 L/day and 263 +/- 77 L/day respectively, suggesting that a major fraction of DHT is metabolized in extrasplanchnic organs. No evidence for a net appearance of DHT by either mass or specific activity analysis in hepatic vein blood was observed indicating that the splanchnic compartment does not contribute DHT into the circulation either by de novo synthesis or via conversion from testosterone. This work indicates that conversion of testosterone to DHT in elderly men occurs entirely in extrasplanchnic tissue.


A new and improved synthesis of 19-iodocholesterol 3-acetate. 19-Iodocholesterol 3-acetate (VI) was synthesized in a single step by iodo group substitution for hydroxyl using either one of two different reagents: (1) carbodiimidonium methiodide (VIII) or (2) triphenyl-phosphine/N-iodosuccinimide (IX). The yields were as satisfactory as those obtained from the two step iodide replacement of a 19-hydroxy group via the 19-tosyloxy group. The principal intermediate, 19-hydroxy cholesterol 3-acetate (V), was derived in appreciable quantities, and relatively inexpensively, through the Pb (OCOCH3) 4 photolytic oxidation of the bromohydrin of cholesterol 3-acetate (III) to the epoxide (IV) thence Zn reduction to the 19-hydroxy compound. A specially designed 12 liter flask was of aid in accomplishing the photolysis reaction. Dry column chromatography with the supportive puncture sampling was integral to achieving the good yields and high purity of 19-iodocholesterol (VIII).


Metabolism of diethylstilbestrol in the C3H mouse: chromatographic systems for the quantitative analysis of DES metabolic products. Initial excretion studies with orally administered [monoethyl-1-3H] DES demonstrated the feces to be the principal mode of elimination of DES in the C3H mouse. Metabolic studies with tritiated DES and/or [UL-14C] DES were performed with orally dosed C3H high (MTV+) and low (MTV-) titer MMTV female mice. Extraction and partitioning of the fecal radioactivity demonstrated 77 to 86% (n = 4) to be benzene soluble and the remainder H2O soluble. The principal product in the organic phase following Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC purification was DES. The aqueous phase was resolved by LH-20 into two conjugate fractions that were partially hydrolyzed by beta-glucuronidase. The principal aglycone was chromatographically identical with authentic DES. The urinary conjugates were resolved into six fractions. The four major fractions were 80% hydrolyzable with beta-glucuronidase. Two of these fractions had trans-DES as the principal aglycone, whereas the other two had a major peak similar to but not chromatographically coincident with cis-DES. In certain experiments mice were sequentially dosed with tritium (24 hr) followed by a 14C dose (24 hr). Two mice (MTV+) were also previously fed 1000 ppb DES prior to these experiments. The tritated and 14C products were combined and analyzed simultaneously. This experiment did not reveal significant differences in the metabolism due to the modes of radioactive labeling, MMTV titer, or the prior feeding of DES. The developed methodology was judged to purify quantitatively 90% or more of the DES radioactive products.


5alpha-Reductase and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase enzyme activities in epididymis and their control by androgen and the rete testis fluid. The 5alpha-reductase and 3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase enzyme activities have been measured in epididymal tissues and the control of these activities by androgens and the rete testis fluid appreciated. The highest 5alpha-reductase enzyme activity was found in the caput, the lowest in the corpus epididymidis. Androgens have a positive control on the 5alpha-reductase but no effect on the 3alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity. Ligation of the efferent ducts decreased significantly both enzyme activities in the caput but not in the corpus or in the cauda epididymidis.


An improved synthesis of 6beta-hydroxy-5beta-pregnane-3,20-dione. 6beta-Hydroxy-5beta-pregnane-3,20-dione, formerly prepared by hydroboration method, has been obtained in greatly improved yield by a simpler irradiation-hydrogenation procedure.


Identification of 7xi-hydroxytetrahydrocortisol and 7xi-hydroxytetrahydrocortisone from urine of newborn baboons (Papio papio). Two highly polar, unconjugated metabolltes of tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone, which had been shown previously to account for greater than 40% of [14C]cortisol (F) administered to baboon neonates, were isolated from urine of a term newborn animal. Metabolites were extracted with ethyl acetate, purified by sequential paper chromatography and crystallization, and identified by chemical and biochemical procedures. Both metabolites of F are 5beta-pregnanes with a hydroxyl of unknown orientation at C-7, a 3alpha-hydroxyl, and a dihydroxyacetone side chain. The two compounds differ from each other by the presence of either oxo or hydroxyl functions at C-11. The following nomenclature is proposed: unknown 1: 3alpha,7xi,11beta,17,21-pentahydroxy-5beta-pregnan-20-one (7xi-hydroxytetrahydrocortisol); unknown 11: 3alpha,7xi,17,21-tetrahydroxy-5beta-pregnane-11,20-dione (7xi-hydroxytetrahydrocortisone). Production of these compounds compensates quantitatively for the decreased formation of F glucuronoside metabolites by baboon neonates, compared with that in adults. Therefore, we propose that 7-hydroxylation is a major alternative pathway for F metabolism in the perinatal period of the baboon.


Studies of the effect of 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17alpha-diol in the canine prostate in vivo. Adult beagle dogs, castrated one month previously, were treated with 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17alpha-diol (total dose 300 mg) over a period of one month. Examination of the prostate after treatment showed no significant change in size, weight or histological appearance from the castrate dog prostate. Subsequent administration of 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol (300 mg) over the same period of time resulted in restoration of the prostate size, weight and histological appearance to that of the normal intact dog prostate. It is concluded that exogenously administered 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17alpha-diol does not promote prostatic growth in the castrate beagle dog.


A general procedure for estimation of corticosteroid response in individual rats. A procedure is presented whereby microliter volumes of plasma, obtained rapidly and repeatedly from the tail vein of unanesthetized rats, can be analyzed for corticosterone. Preliminary results suggest that (1) basal levels are considerably lower and (2) the latency to corticosteroid stress response is shorter than previously reported.


Stabilization of placental aromatase by dithiothreitol in the presence of oxidizing agents. Cumene hydroperoxide, sodium periodate and iodosobenzene were not able to support aromatization by placental microsomes in the absence of NADPH or molecular oxygen. In the presence of these oxidizing agents and NADPH, aromatase was slowly inactivated. Dithiothreitol (10mM) prevented the loss of aromatizing activity in the presence of these compounds. One function of dithiothreitol may be to protect aromatase by scavenging harmful oxidizing agents.


21-Hydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,11,20-trione: a biliary metabolite of a cartilaginous fish, Raja sp. 21-Hydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,11,20-trione was isolated from skate bile and as an in vivo metabolite of 3H-1alpha-hydroxycorticosterone. Identity was established by chromatography and derivatization to constant 3H/14C ratio and mass spectrometry of the 20,21-acetonide. The new steroid was present in the free form and as the glucuronoside.


Participation of propionate in cholesterol biosynthesis by rat liver. Incorporation of (214C) propionate into cholesterol was demonstrated using rat liver slices and homogenates. The incorporation of (214C) propionate was greater than that of (214C) acetate. Using the same liver homogenate preparation (214C) succinate and (214C) pyruvate were incorporated into cholesterol to a lesser extent than (214C) acetate and (214C) propionate. Addition of unlabeled acetate failed to dilute the incorporation of (214C) propionate. Incorporation of the 2 and 3 carbon atoms pf propionate were equal; little incorporation of the 1 carbon atom was demonstrable. These results indicate that propionate is an excellent source of 2 carbon units for isoprenoid biosynthesis; the intermediary pathway does not involve a common acetate pool nor can these results be satisfactorily explained by citric acid intermediary metabolism.


Trends in fertility, family size preferences, and family planning practice: Taiwan, 1961-76. A series of six sample surveys and vital statistics are used to analyze major reproductive trends for 1961-76 in Taiwan. Fertility fell rapidly during 1961-70 as a result of adoption of contraception and rising age at marriage, while there was little change in preferred family size. Between 1970 and 1976 the practice of contraception reached high levels in all social strata, and preferred family size and fertility both declined rapidly. Practice of contraception for spacing births increased considerably after 1970. These changes occurred while many traditional familial values, including strong son preference, persisted. A continuation of the decline in fertility is predicted.


Family planning education as an integral part of day care services in Korea. The Integrated Day Care Program (IDCP) in Korea provices family planning classes as an integral part of comprehensive day care services for low-income families. The program was initiated by CARE in 1973, with support from the Korean government, and has received important inputs from national family planning agencies. A review of the first two years' accomplishments shows that mothers participating in the IDCP knew more about, were more favorable toward, and were more likely to practice family planning than mothers using day care centers that were not a part of the program. Findings also demonstrate the potential for program expansion: the substantial numbers of friends and relatives brought by mothers to the classes, and the number of IDCP and non-IDCP mothers indicating a willingness to use family planning clinic services in the day care setting.


Patterns of fertility decline in developing countries, 1950-75. Since 1965 there have been substantial declines in the crude birth rates of many countries in the developing world, particularly the largest countries. This auspicious trend is shown clearly in an analysis of population figures for the last 25 years, despite the fact that there are deficiencies in the data. In 1950 the average crude birth rate for developing countries was 42 per thousand per year. Over the next 15 years, declines in the crude birth rate were limited to a relatively few, and for the most part small, countries. After 1965, however, for the 13 developing countries with a population numbering 35 million and over, there have been declines in the crude birth rate averaging 13 percent, with declines of over 12 percent in 9 of them. The effects of a number of sociodemographic factors on crude birth rates are examined, and the analysis shows that increases in the age at marriage and decreases in marital fertility were the principal factors affecting declines since 1965.


An anti-B reagent prepared from the alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-binding isolectins from Bandeiraea simplicifolia seeds. A method for the large scale preparation of the alpha-D-galactosyl binding isolectins from Bandeiraea simplicifolia seeds using an absorbent prepared by linking D-galactosamine to CH-Sepharose is described. The addition of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) to these isolectins produced an anti-B reagent (BS I + GalNAc anti-B). Although BS I + GalNAc anti-B readily agglutinated red blood cells from the majority of group B and AB donor and patient blood samples tested, it reacted weakly with group B and AB cord red blood cells and failed to agglutinate five of 100 group AB donor blood samples when tested by an automated technique. The reagent did not agglutinate the red blood cells from seven acquired-B red blood cell samples and was strongly reactive with Tn-polyagglutinable red blood cells. These findings indicate that this lectin anti-B preparation may be of more value in investigative immunohematology, rather than as an alternative to human group A serum as a source of anti-B for blood-typing purposes. The results of tests on Tn-polyagglutinable red blood cells with BS I + GalNAc anti-B and the purified isolectins BS I(A4) and BS I(B4) are also presented, and discussed in relation to current concepts on the structure of the Tn receptor.


Regional blood center automation.

Regional blood center automation. The operation of an automated regional blood center is outlined. The basic approaches used to achieve economical automation that is compatible with existing manual protocols are described. Finally, the role of centralized, automated blood typing is discussed in the context of the operations of The Greater New York Blood Program which involves a central Groupamatic blood typing facility serving four blood centers.


Plasmapheresis using the IBM 2991 blood cell processor. The IBM 2991 Blood Cell Processor, normally used to wash or deglycerolize red blood cells, has been modified to permit serial plasmapheresis using a small roller pump, an adapter line and the disposable processing set usually used for cell washing. Blood is withdrawn from the donor, pumped into the plastic centrifuge bag and the plasma removed after centrifugation. Donor erythrocytes are pumped from the processing bag to a reservoir bag from which they are returned to the donor by gravity. Multi-unit plasmapheresis to harvest plasma for transfusion or to remove plasma as a therapeutic measure is possible using the modified system. A four-unit plasmapheresis can be done in 65 to 75 minutes at a cost of $27.61, including disposables and technologist labor. This modification allows the IBM 2991 to function for red blood cell washing and as an efficient instrument for plasmapheresis.


The impact of converting to an all frozen blood system in a large regional blood center. We studied the impact of converting to an all frozen blood system in a large regional blood center. Several basic assumptions were made including the availability of a sterile docking device which would increase the shelf life of deglycerolized blood to 72 hours. Our study indicated that the most economical manner in which to implement such a program would be to supply deglycerolized blood to all hospitals transfusing more than 500 units per year and to provide frozen units to hospitals transfusing less then this amount (those hospitals would deglycerolize the blood they use). The estimated total cost of the proposed conversion was 3.9 million dollars or a 76 per cent increase over the present operation. Relative to our present fee structure, the average cost of a unit of blood would increase 80 per cent if only frozen or deglycerolized red blood cells were distributed.


Donor recruitment and blood collection costs for Red Cross Centers. An investigation of the economies of scale hypothesis. This paper presents a statistical analysis of the hypothesis that there are economies of scale in the collection of blood. Based on a national sample of Red Cross collection centers, an analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between total costs of obtaining blood as well as its recruitment and collection components, and explanatory factors such as local costs, mobile units used, and scale of operations. Adjusting for other factors, our results indicate slight diseconomies of scale at all levels of operation: that is, as scale of operations increase, collection costs rise. Only the costs associated with the recruitment and collection functions are examined in this study.


Counting microaggregate particles in blood. A method is described for measuring microaggregates in stored blood with an electronic particle counter avoiding the usual use of a hemolytic agent. To overcome red blood cell coincidence at low dilutions of the samples two different sized apertures were used. The method reliably measures microaggregates  from 12.7 micron to 80.6 micron diameter. Hemolytic agents added to fresh blood were shown to induce the formation of microaggregates. The present study demonstrated that a tenfold reduction in a commonly used saponin concentration produced satisfactory hemolysis without inducing significant microaggregate formation. Hemolytic agents added to stored blood decreased the population of microaggregates significantly from that of unhemolyzed blood. This phenomenon was minimized with reduced saponin concentrations.


Computer simulation as a method for evaluating the copper sulfate test for hemoglobin in diverse populations. The copper sulfate hemoglobin screening method was separately evaluated for three local population groups which do not conform to accepted normal standards of hemoglobin and/or plasma specific gravity (SG). This was carried out by a computer which simulated the distribution of plasma specific gravity and hemoglobin levels in random samples of blood donors. Simulations of 1,000 were carried out for males and for females in each of the three main population groups in Natal (Caucasians, Negroes and Asians). These were compared with a simulation of hypothetical normal subjects whose hemoglobin and plasma SG conformed to accepted standards. Variations in accuracy, relating to differences in plasma specific gravity and in hemoglobin, were demonstrated. Acceptances of donors who should be rejected (Type II errors) were most common in Negroes, but did not occur in the normal group. Type II errors did not occur in males with hemoglobin levels below 12.5 gm/dl or in females under 11.5 gm/dl. Erroneous rejections of prospective donors who, in fact, satisfied the criterion of acceptance (Type I errors) occurred in all groups, but were fewest in the normal group.


Isolation of rabies virus from bats in Bolivia. Rabies virus was isolated from apparently normal blood-sucking (Desmodus rotundus) and insectivorous (Artibeus planirostris) bats caught in Bolivia. The virus was identified by immunofluorescence, biological and sero-neutralisation tests.


Simple method of improving the quality of platelet concentrates and the importance of production control. Some technical improvements of the method to prepare platelet concentrates (PC) have been developed. The contamination of the PC with red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) is thereby kept at a low level. A majority of routinely prepared PC did not show any visible RBC contamination which means that they contained less than 0.4 X 10(9) RBC per PC unit. None of the tested examples contained more than 1 X 10(9) RBC per PC unit. The WBC contamination was less than 0.1 X 10(9) cells per PC unit in 75 per cent of tested examples and did not exceed 0.6 X 10(9) cells per PC unit. Routine platelet counting by thrombocounter applied on samples from all PRPs was found to be a reasonably simple way to make routine PC quality control. By sufficient supervision of the details of the procedure the main yield can be maintained at about 100 X 10(9) cells per unit. By follow-up of the weekly yield any deterioration of production efficiency can easily be detected.


Blood preservation XXVI, CPD-adenine packed cells: benefits of increasing the glucose. In searching for the optimal glucose concentration, this lab has monitored ATP, 2,3-DPG, pH, and glucose levels of samples taken from full blood units stored for 6 weeks at 4 C. The blood was collected into CPD-adenine containing 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 per cent of the glucose present in CPD. The units were stored as whole blood, soft packed (50 to 70% Hct), or hard packed units (80 to 95% Hct). ATP values in general did not decrease very greatly in whole blood units and only moderately in soft packed units. However, in hard packed units a steady progressive decrease in the ATP values was seen to begin at day 14. In these hard-packed units the only improvement with extra glucose was seen beginning at day 14 when ATP maintenance was better with 200 per cent glucose, but the improvement was not significant until day 42. However, at 35 days the ATP values for 200 and 175 per cent glucose were noticeably better than for the other preservatives. Therefore, it appears from this study that the glucose concentration in CPD-adenine for hard-packed cells should be at least 175 per cent of that in regularly formulated CPD. Also, there would appear to be an advantage of having 200 per cent glucose in those units of blood that may be stored beyond 35 days for emergency blood shortage times.


A comparison of the development of body components in Sudan desert sheep and goats. Sixty-six male Sudan desert sheep and a similar number of Sudan desert goats representing different weight classes of sheep and goats commonly slaughtered in the local market were killed and carcass data collected. The patterns of the relative increase in weight of the components of the body were similar in both species with the exception of the skin, tail, liver and loin cut. At 30 kg empty bodyweight the goat yields a heavier carcass, omentum and head but a lighter skin, tail and feet than sheep. At 15 kg carcass weight goats possess less meat in the leg and plate cuts, but more meat in the loin and shoulder cuts.


Blood preservation XXVII. Fructose and mannose maintain ATP and 2,3-DPG. Mannose and fructose as well as glucose have been shown to be effective for maintaining ATP and thus viability of stored red blood cells. Normal 2,3-DPG levels are desirable in stored red blood cells to provide the needed oxygen transport upon transfusion. ATP levels in sotred concentrated red blood cells in the new preservative, CPD-adenine (citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine) become critically low in the 5th week. In this study two hexoses and two pentoses are compared with dextrose in their ability to maintain ATP and 2,3-DPG. ATP levels were best maintained by fructose, then dextrose and mannose. ATP levels had fallen to critically low levels by four weeks with ribose and xylose. Red blood cell 2,3-DPG concentrations were also maintained by hexoses, with mannose being best, dextrose and fructose being similar. When ribose was used in addition to dextrose in CPD-adenine, ATP maintenance was improved and under the same conditions xylose improved 2,3-DPG maintenance. Fructose and mannose may be as useful as dextrose in citrate-phosphate preservatives for maintaining ATP and 2,3-DPG levels. Also, ribose and xylose may help the maintenance of ATP and 2,3-DPG, respectively, in CPD-adenine.


The Ito "Flow-Through" Centrifuge. A new device for long-term (24 hours) plasmapheresis without platelet deterioration. An efficacious procedure for continuous plasmapheresis in long-term extracorporeal circulation has not yet been devleoped. This technique could be important in plasma exchange or cross-exchange and in artificial organ support if it could be accomplished safely using heparin as the anticoagulant. When sheep were connected to the Celltrifuge for 23 hours and administered 150 units/kg per hour heparin anticoagulant, we found gross platelet clumping in separated plasma and a 60 per cent fall in platelet count. When 120,000 units of heparin were directly injected into the centrifuge bowl at the onset of the centrifugation followed by hourly heparin administration at 500 units/kg, there was no platelet clumping but the platelet count fell to 52 per cent. Under identical conditions the Ito Flow-Through Centrifuge, a new continuous flow centrifuge with no rotating seals, was used. We found no platelet aggregates and no drop in platelet count, and there was a 100 per cent recovery of platelets in the separated plasma. Platelets sampled from arterial blood and separated plasma were found to have normal function in vitro, and responded 100 per cent to both collagen and ADP. These results indicate that the Ito Flow-Through Centrifuge can be used in plasmapheresis with heparin anticoagulation with no donor platelet loss and normal function in separated plasma.


Toxoplasmosis transmitted by blood transfusions. Blood from humans collected into heparin or citrate was inoculated with toxoplasma organisms. After storage at 4 C up to 28 days, samples were injected into the ear veins of rabbits. The test rabbits developed toxoplasmosis. Similar results were obtained by transfusing rabbits with blood obtained from rabbits subcutaneously injected with toxoplasma organisms.


Bacteriological sterility of washed deglycerolized red blood cells after 72 hours storage. Samples of reconstituted frozen red blood cells, maintained at 4 C for 72 hours prior to culture, revealed a bacterial contamination rate of less than 0.2 per cent, suggesting that the present shelf life of 24 hours may be safely extended to 72 hours.


Avian encephalomalacia in Barbados, West Indies: a description of spontaneous field cases with feed analyses. The clinical, necropsy and histopathological findings in four natural outbreaks of encephalomalacia are reported. Feed analyses implicated low levels of vitamin E as the probable cause of the condition. Treatment with vitamin E has proved to be very effective. The instability of vitamin E in animal feed ingredients during long periods of shipment into the Caribbean may be important in the pathogenesis of the disease.


Serologic evidence of hepatitis A and B virus infections in thalassemia patients: a retrospective study. To determine the current risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in multiply transfused thalassemia patients, we tested sera from such patients in New York City for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its antibody (anti-HBs) using radioimmunoassay techniques. Altogether 48 per cent of the patients had either HBsAg (4.5%) or anti-HBs (43.9%) positive sera. The prevalence of these HBV markers was related to both the number of units transfused and the year blood transfusion therapy was begun, although evidence suggested that the latter factor had the greatest influence. Donor HBsAg screening began in New York in 1969, and only one patient first transfused since that time had HBV marker positive serum. Thus, multiply-transfused thalassemia patients now appear to be at little risk of HBV infection from transfusions. Sera were also tested for antibody to the hepatitis A virus (anti-HA) using immune adherence hemaglutination. Anti-HA prevalence was only 4.9 per cent, no greater than rates reported among nontransfused children, providing evidence against a significant role for blood transfusions in hepatitis A virus transmission.


Leptospirosis in Colombia: isolation of Leptospira spp. from the kidneys of brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) trapped on infected piggeries. Leptospira interrogans serotypes pomona and icterohaemorrhagiae were isolated from the kidneys of Rattus norvegicus trapped on pomona infected piggeries. The isolation of pomona from one of 111 cultured kidneys, although of interest, strongly suggests that this rat does not play an important part in the epidemiology of infection by this serotype. Kidney tubular degeneration, focal mononuclear infiltrations and fibroplasia are morphological traces which remain after an attack of leptospirosis. The high percentage (48.6) of these lesions found in the rat kidneys examined does not seem to be related to serotype pomona but to icterohaemorrhagiae. The importance of this last serotype in swine in the Cauca Valley has yet to be assessed.


Helminth parasites of beef cattle in the East Kimberley and Victoria River Districts of Northern Australia. An investigation into the helminth species present in cattle in the East Kimberley and Victoria River Districts of Northern Australia was conducted over a 2-year period based on bi-monthly total and differential worm counts in weaner cattle as well as on a post mortem survey of adult cattle sent for slaughter. The most important species found in young cattle were Haemonchus placei and Cooperia spp. Only small numbers of Bunostomum phlebotomum, Nematodirus spathiger, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Moniezia benedini were present. Calicophoron calicophorum and nodules of Onchocerca spp. and Oe. radiatum were recorded in adult cattle. Seasonal fluctuations in helminth parasite burdens are discussed in relation to temperature and rainfall and the results are interpreted in relation to the effects of helminthosis on present and future beef production in this area.


Methods to improve the health of cattle in the tropics: immunisation and chemoprophylaxis against haemoparasitic infections. A study of methods to improve the health of native cattle in tropical areas of Colombia showed an advantage using immunisation techniques against haemoparasitic infections in comparison with other control methods. The control of anaplasmosis and babesiosis by immunisation of cattle with fully virulent Anaplasma marginale, Babesia argentina and B. bigemina is feasible in tropical cattle when the postimmunisation reaction is controlled by appropriate drug therapy. Chemoprophylaxis was found less effective in controlling haemoparasitic diseases; however, treated was found less effective in controlling haemoparasitic diseases; however, treated cattle surviving the acute stage of infection showed weight gains not significantly different from those of the immunised calves. Both methods were found to be advantageous with calves born and raised in an endemic area of anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Tick and gastrointestinal parasitic control without haemoparasitic control in calves had an advantage over no control system at all. These methods though were inferior to the immunisation and chemoprophylactic techniques.


The use of spleen antigen in the tube agglutination test for diagnosis of anaplasmosis in cattle. An antigen was prepared from the spleen of an infected bovine calf and was used in the tube agglutination test. Cases having rare and very low parasitaemia as well as the carrier cases were detected by this procedure and no non-specific reaction was observed with other haemoprotozoan infections. The maximum titre obtained with the Anplasma positive sera was 1:20, about 60 per cent showed a titre of 1:10 and 90 per cent showed a titre of 1:5 or more. The test provided satisfactory results in detecting the cases even at the early phase of the infection. The test also proved useful in judging the efficacy of a drug employed to destroy the carrier status.


Survey of the incidence of anaplasmosis among Nigerian Zebu trade cattle. Sera samples from 573 Nigerian Zebu trade cattle were evaluated by the rapid card agglutination test for antibodies to Anaplasma marginale between May and July 1977. The results showed 34 per cent reactors as against 66 per cent negatives. The above results showed a significant level of exposure to the infection among the Fulani cattle managed under a husbandry system in which there is no provision for tick control. The significance of this level of exposure to Anaplasma marginale in relation to the livestock industry of the country and the need for a nation-wide anaplasmosis survey are discussed.


[Immunochemical characteristics of skeletal muscle myosins in different animals]. The immunochemical properties of myosin were studied in skeletal muscles of different animals, such as mammals, birds and amphibians. Myosin of the animal skeletal muscles is found to contain two or three immunologically different components. Myosin and other antisera obtained in different animals differ in immunochemical properties and do not give positive precipitation test in interaction.


[Metabolism of glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteids with experimental fractures]. Biochemical studies of the glycosaminoglycanes and glycoproteids metabolism in the callus, liver and blood serum of rabbits with extremty fractures showed that different stages of reparative osteogenesis are accompanied by considerable changes in metabolism of these substances in the callus, fragments adjoining it and the bone tissue of the intact extremty. At the early stages of the knitting consolidation an increase in the level of hyaluronic acid in the callus relatively to the total of glycosaminoglycanes is combined with a rise in the hyaluronidase activity. The rise in the content of carbohydrates bound with proteins: neuraminic acid, hexosamines, hexoses, in the callus, liver and blood serum is also established to be different in different periods of reparative osteogenesis. Comparison of the results of the studies showed a significant role of glycosaminoglycanes and glycoproteids metabolism in the processes knitting consolidation. The data obtained make it possible to specify the role of the bone tissue and liveer as sources of serum glycoproteids under considitions of experimental injury and to recommend the determination of the content of carbohydrate-protein compounds in blood serum as an additional criterion for the course of knitting consolidation.


[Content of N-acetyl-L-asparate, N-acetyl-L-glutamate and N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate in the brain of mammals at increased oxygen tension]. The contents of N-acetyl-l-asparate and N-acetyl-l-glutamate, N-acetyl-l-aspartyl-l-glutamate were studied in the brain of rats of six age groups: newborns and on the 1st, 7th, 14th, and 30th day after birth. The amount of N-acetyl-l-asparate, N-acetyl-l-glutamate and peptide in the rat brain for 30 days of the postanal life is 8, 3.5 and 14.3 times as high, respectively. Under hyperoxic the amount of peptide, N-acetyl-l-asparate and N-acetyl-l-glutamate in the brain of rats of all the examined groups decreases especially in 14-, 21- and 30-day animals.


[Characteristics of the intensity of glycolytic and oxidative processes in rat brain tissue under hypoxia and hyperoxia]. Effect of hypoxia and hyperoxia on some indexes of energy metabolism was studied in the brain of intact rats and those with preliminarily administered hydrocortisone. So hypoxia (8 and 5.5% of oxygen in the medium) increases considerably the lactate and pyruvate content and has no effect on the oxidation and photophosphorylation in the brain mitochondria. The hyperoxic medium (1 at. abs. for 3-5h) inhibits consumption of oxygen and inorganic phosphate by the brain mitochondria, does not effect the lactate content and lowers the pyruvate level. The preliminary administration of hydrocortisone (1 mg per 100 g) under conditions of hypoxia and hyperoxia leads to the further intensification of the glycolysis independently of the initial level of the process. At the same time hormone administration favours normalization of the oxidative processes in the brain tissue under conditions of hyperoxia.


[Influence of ions on the activity of rat parotid DNase]. The activity of DNase, purified from rat parotid saliva was studied as affected by 7 metal ions. It is found that Mg2+ activated the salivary DNase. Ca2+ and Ba2+ in concentrations exceeding 10(-3) M revealed the inhibitory action, while Zn2+ and Cu2+ under these conditions have an essential effect on the enzyme activity. Al3+ produced no significant effect on the DNase activity. The rat parotid DNase activity is the highest in imidazol and tris-HCl buffers (pH 7.2-7.4) in the presence of 2.5 . 10(-2) M of Mg2+.


[Formation of some enzymic systems in the human fetal brain during development]. The data of studies in the monoaminoxidase, nuclease and transaminase activity in fractions of mitochondria and nuclei of the human fetus brain in the process of the fetus development evidence for the changes in the activity depending on the morphological and functional maturation of the organ during the antenatal ontogenesis. The monoaminoxidase activity increases by the time of birth. By the 40th week of development the activity of glutamic-aspartic transaminase increases as well. The activity of glutamic-alanine transaminase changes insignificantly. A considerable decrease in the activity of DNase and RNase in the mentioned fractions is observed by the time of the fetus birth. The maximal activity of these enzymes is observed in the first half of the fetus intrauterine development.


[Heterogeneity of hemoglobins in hypoxia-resistant animals]. Beaver, otter and nutria hemoglobin chromatographical components were isolated, a comparative analysis of the studied proteins was carried out and their intraspecific heterogeneity was established. The chromatographical components of nutria hemoglobin proved to differ in their physical and chemical properties as well as in the structure.


[Solubilization of cholesterol by sodium salts of bile and fatty acids]. Solubilization of cholesterol by sodium salts of cholic, glycocholic, deoxycholic, lithocholic and oleic acids was studied. Dynamics of the solubilization process is described and a comparative characteristic of solubilizing ability of the substances under investigation is given. Cholesterole solubilization is studied as dependent on the concentration of the given substances. The possible mechanisms of solubilization is discussed.


[Carbohydrates and enzymes of their conversion in rat brain tissues in adaptation to overcooling]. The content of glucose and glycogen in the brain as well as the enzymes of their conversion: phosphorylase, hexokinase, amylase were studied in single and repeated coolings of animals to the rectal temperature of the 19-20 degrees. Differences are established in the ways of conversion and utilization of glucose and different forms of glycogen in the brain tissue during cooling of the experimental animals and those adapted to cold. This results in appearance of a new type of carbohydrates metabolism in the brain tissue at formation of phosphorylated forms of glucose.


[Content of nucleic acid in subcellular fractions of cow milk]. The article deals with the content of nucleic acids in mitochondrial and cell-nuclear fractions isolated from fresh milk as well as with changes in the content of phosphoric compounds and activity of alkaline phosphatase in milk in different periods between milkings. It is shown that prolongation of the intervals between milkings decreases the intensity of the phosphoric compounds secretion and the content of nucleic acids in the subcellular fractions and simultaneously rises activity of alkaline phosphatase, that evidences for a decrease in the intensity of the secretory processes in the mammary gland.


[Metabolism of copper, molybdenum, iron and manganese in rat tissues as affected by 50 Hz electric field]. The influence of the electric field of commerical frequency on metabolism and interorgan distribution of copper, molybdenum, iron and manganese was studied in the 4-month experiment on animals with their daily 30-minute exposition. The electric field intensity was 7.12 and 15 kV/m. The electric field effect on the animals is established to decrease excretion of trace elements with excrements and their accumulation in the organism, espically in the executive organs: spleen, brain, myocardium. These changes are considered as adaptive responses of the organism to the effect of the given factor. Changes in distribution of trace elements between the tissues of different organs proved to be a rather sensitive indicator to the electric field effect.


[Spectral properties of the prosthetic group of Penicillium vitale catalase]. Differences in the absorption spectrum of the Penicillum vitale catalase in the visible region as compared to the absorption spectrum for catalase of animal origin are established to be due to the prosthetic group of the enzyme. A molecule of P. vitale catalase is determined to contain 0.051 +/- 0.0003% of iron. It corresponds to two iron atoms per enzyme molecule and to a twice as low content of iron as in a molecule of the bovine liver catalase. An assumption is advanced that the P. vitale catalase contains two hemin groups located in two protein subunits.


[The role of serotonin in regulating lipid metabolism in rat liver]. Serotonin is shown to have different effects on the lipid fractions metabolism in the rat liver homogenate and mitochondria depending upon the serotonin concentration. The low serotonin concentration (0.2 mg per 100 g of weight) enhanced lipogenesis in the rat liver; on the contrary, the high serotonin concentration (2 mg per 100 g), as a rule, inhibited this process. It is supposed that the serotonin effect is mediated by the adenyl cyclase system in a cell.


[Intensity of glycolysis with brain edema in rats and application of some pharmacological agents]. In the in vitro experiments the state of glycolytic processes was studied in the rat brain tissues with development of edema induced by injury and administered nicotine and monoiodoacetate as well as with preliminary introduction of phentolamine, benactyzine, aminazine and trifluoperazine. The brain edema is shown to develop against a background of sharp inhibition of glycolysis independent of the initial content of lactic acid in the incubation medium. Phentolamine, benactyzine and aminazine which prevent from the edema contribute to the normal level of the glycolytic processes. Trifluoperazine ineffective with edema does not prevent from glycolysis inhibition. Inhibition of glycolysis resulting from a decrease in the activity of the corresponding enzymic systems is supposed to be one of the main pathogenetic factors of the brain edema development as it leads to deficit of energy necessary for normal water-electrolytic metabolism in cells.


[Effect of cycloheximide on synthesis of skeletal muscle proteins and nuclear DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase activity]. A high sensitivity towards cycloheximide is shown for three main protein fractions of albino rat skeletal muscle, i. e. a 50% inhibition of myofibrillar protein synthesis is caused by a dose of 0.1 mg/100 g of body weight after 3.5 h, the rate of inhibition of two other fractions is even higher. A dose of 3.0 mg/100 g of body weight inhibits the synthesis of the sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins by 96% by the end of the 15th minute. Administration of cycloheximide in vivo (0.3 mg/100 g of body weight) inhibits the alpha-amanitin-resistant DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase activity of the nuclei. The relation between the inhibition rate and time of the cycloheximide action is ruled by the first order kinetic. This allows postulating the existence of a fast renewal with a period of half-life of about 110 min (determined graphically) among nuclear proteins involved in the transcription of rRNA. The idea of this protein participation in adaptive shifts of rRNA synthesis in the systematic skeletal muscle function is suggested.


[Preparative isolation of serum a albumin]. A simple method is suggested for the preparative isolation of native albumin in the thick (6 mm) block of the agar-agar gel on the veronal-medinal buffer solution (pH 8.6, ionic strength 0.1). The method is based on the analytical horizontal electrophoresis. 0.8-1 ml of 10% solution of proteins was introduced into each of two starting trenches. 5h after the beginning of distillation in the anode edge of the plate at a distance of 35 mm from the start two collector slits were cut out perpendiculary to the protein movement. Then they were filled with the NaCl physiological solution and protein portions were taken thrice each half an hour. The purity of albumins was checked immunologically. The method may be applied for obtaining other individual proteins.


[Distribution of biogenic amines in rat brain with hypothermia]. Distribution of catecholamines and serotonin in the thalamus and hypothalamus of the brain was studied as affected by hypothermia. Both single and double hypothermia are found to induce considerable shifts in distribution of these amines. In the both regions of the brain the content of serotonin increases greatly, that of dopamine and adrenaline rises to a less extent. The amount of norepinephrine as compared to the control in unchanged.


[Dependence of nitrazepam metabolism on the method of its administration and species of experimental animals]. Intraperitoneal, intravenous and peroral administration of nitrasepam has no effect on its transformation and distribution in the liver tissues, blood and brain of mice. Depending on the products of nitrasepam transformation formed in the animal liver, the enzymic systems providing such transformations have species peculiarities: the rat liver tissues contain nitroreductase, N-acetyl-transferase and desacetylase. And the mice tissues contain only nitroreductase and desacetylase.


[A comparative ontogenetic study of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of chicken myocardium mitochondria]. When adding alpha-ketoglutarate and glutamate the intensity of respiration by the myocardium mitochondria increases gradually from the 15th day of embryonic development till the chicken hatching out. In the presence of succinate respiration of mitochondria of 15- and 20-day embryos and 5-day chickens is almost the same and decreases noticeably in adult chickens. When the above-mentioned substrates are added the value of P/O gradually decreases during the chicken development.


[The carbohydrate component of immunoglobulin G peculiar to malignant growth]. The total amount of carbohydrates and some carbohydrate components was studied in total preparations of immunoglobulins of blood serum of healthy people and cancer patients as well as in immunoglobulin G subfraction peculiar to cancer and in the fraction isolated from immunoglobulin G of healthy people blood serum corresponding to the place of column elution. An insignificant increase is established in the content of carbohydrates in the protein peculiar to cancer as compared to their amount in immunoglobulin G of blood serum from healthy people (1.93 and 1.46 g per 100 g of protein, respectively). A conclusion is drawn that the content of the studied substances in the protein peculiar to cancer cannot determine the peculiarities of its physicochemical, immunological and biological properties.


[Effect of insulin on oxidative phosphorylation in the liver and heart mitochondria of adrenalectomized rats]. The effect of insulin was studied as applied to the inhibited under conditions of adrenalectomy process of oxidative phosphorylation in the rat liver and heart mitochondria. It is established that adrenalectomy does not change oxidative activity of mitochondria but inhibits the process of phosphorylation, which results in the decreased values of the ADP/O coefficient and the respiratory control. Insulin administered to the adrenalectomized rats 3h before the experiments reduces the disturbed oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria of the liver and heart by intensifying the degree of ADP phosphorylation.


[Changes in chemical composition, biosynthesis and structure of secretion of intermediate area of chicken stomach with A-avitaminosis]. In the intermediate area of the chicken stomach with A-avitaminosis the amount of the secretion increases and its chemical composition changes sharply: the content of water, lipids, hexolamines and suphates lowers. By means of 14-C-acetate, 35S-methionine and 35S-sulphate it is established that renewal of the secretion is inhibited. The electron-microscopic examinations showed that the secret is homogenous in normalcy but with A-avitaminosis it acquires a honeycomb structure, its physicochemical properties being changed: it becomes rigid, cuticle-like. As a result there appear deep cracks reaching mucosa, which lead to formation of erosions and ulcers. An assumption is advanced that the initial disturbances of the secretion might be not related to protein component (as the ratio of amino acids in it's almost unchanged) and depend on the carbohydrate and lipid components. The hypothesis of de Luc et al. as to the transport and intermediatory function of vitamin A in biosynthesis of glycosamineglycanes, glycolipids and glycolipoproteins is questioned. Vitamin A may take part in these processes but not as an intermediator of metabolic systems but as the level of biological structures (for instance, the Golgi apparatus and others) which organize these systems and coordinate their function.


[Identification and properties of proteins characteristic of the Shvets rat leukosis]. Blood proteins were examined in rats with the Shvets experimental leukosis positively reacting in the sedimentation test for leukosis. Application of monospecific antisera against main classes of immunoglobulins shows that this protein belongs to immunoglobulins of the class G. The sedimentation constant and molecular weight of the protein under study are determined. It is shown that immunoglobulin G of rats with leukosis activates glycolysis and inhibits respiration. The data obtained give reasons to assume not complete identity but, in any case, similarity of physicochemical properties of proteins appearing in animal and human blood channel with malignant growth.


[Properties of the rat liver DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase stored at -25 degrees C in the presence of glycerol or polyethyleneglycol-400]. The effect of slow freezing (1-2 degrees C/min) was studied as applied to the template activity of DNA in the RNA-polymerase reaction. It was found out that the activity of each RNA-polymerase form decreases after 24-hour storage by freezing at -25 degrees C in the presence of glycol or polyethylene glycol-400. The study of the enzyme in the glycerol concentration gradient showed sedimentation constant changes.


[Enzyme activity in the regeneration process after partial hepatectomy of normal liver and that injured with deoxycholic acid]. After partial hepatoectomy of the rat normal liver a maximum three-fold increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase is observed in the blood serum, on the second-third day, and by the 14th day becomes almost normal; the activity of adenosine desaminase, AMP-aminohydrolase and 5'-nucleotidase becomes 30-60% as high for one-two days. The activity of the alkaline phosphatase in the liver becomes four times as high and reaches normalcy by the sixth day. The activity of adenosine desaminase and AMP-aminohydrolase increases to a less extent for a fortnight. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase decreases in the first day, then rises and a fortnight later becomes normal. After partial hepatoectomy of the liver injured with deoxicholic acid the activity of all the enzymes in blood serum anr a longer period of time; in the 5'-nucleotidase activity there is no initial drop and its earlier subsequent increase is observed.


[Changes in erythrocyte membrane permeability after freezing with polyethylene oxide and glycerol]. Membrane ion permeability to sodium cations and phosphate anions, acid resistance and phospholipid composition were studied in erythrocytes frozen and thawed with 15% glycerol and 10% solution of polyethylene oxide 1500. An increase in membrane permeability to 22Na and HPO4(2-) against a background of reduction in phospholipids and total acid resistance was observed after rapid freezing-thawing and removing of cryoprotectants.


[Protein and nucleic acid biosynthesis in tissue lymphocytes frozen at -196 degrees C with PEG-400]. DNA, RNA and protein synthesis was studied in splenocyte suspensions after superlow cooling (-196 degrees C) with PEG-400. It is shown that both standard two-step cooling and cooling with a holding temperature (at -28 degrees C) reduce precursors incorporation into DNA, proteins and particularly RNA. The splenogram analysis and supravital staining suggest that the observed changes are at least partially due to splenocytes death and the redistribution of cellular contents in the direction of the preferential survival of small lymphocytes. A lack of complete correlation between a reduction in biosynthesis of the macromolecules under study and cell viability testifies to the direct damage of proteinsynthetizing system components.


[Determination of progesterone and delta 4-pregnen-20 alpha-ol-3-one contents in ovaries with two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography and spectrofluorimetry]. The method is developed for quantitative determination of progesterone and delta4-pregnen-20alpha-ol-3-one in ovaries. It includes treatment of the gland homogenate with NaOH, ethylacetate extraction, two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography on silicaged plate Silufol UV254 in benzol-ethylacetate (80:20) and chlorophorm-ethanol (98:2) and the subsequent spectrofluorimetry. For identification of the isolated steroids their chromatographical motility, light absorption, color reactions and fluorescence spectra were studied. The contents of progesterone and delta4-pregnen-20alpha-ol-3 one in the rat ovaries were determined by this method.


[The quantitative determination of sulfhydryl and imidazole groups in proteins by the method of inversiochronopotentiometric titration]. A method is suggested for a quantitative determination of sulphydryl and imidazole groups in proteins. The method is based on the capacity of Zn2+ and Co2+ to bind selectivity with sulphur and nitrogen atoms in bioligands. The mentioned reactions are fixed by one of most sensitive methods of the electrochemical analysis, the inversiochronopotentiometric titration. The method was tested with the solutions of amino acids and proteins. The sensitivity of the method is 10(-8)M, a relative error is +/- 1.5%.


[Fibrin-fragment D-protector equilibrium system. Quantitative determination of protector activity]. Equilibrium distribution of fibrin between clot fibres and liquid phase was studied as affected by the protector fraction of fibrinogen tryptic hydrolyzate in the presence of fragment D. It was found that in such a system the protector counteracting the solubilizing fibrin-effect of fragment D evokes an increase in the content of the fibrin solid phase. The effect is suggested to be used as a quantitative index of the protector activity. The presence of equilibrium between the protector--fragment D complex and products of its dissociation is shown. This equilibrium is a part of a more complex fibrin--fragment D-protector equilibrium system.


Effect of acute infectious disease on human isometric muscle endurance. Capacity for isometric endurance work of different muscle groups was recorded in 32 male patients suffering a variety of acute infectious diseases, predominantly of viral or mycoplasmal aetiology. Recordings were performed after abatement of fever, and 1, and 4 months thereafter. Control measurements took place 1 year later. As a result of the illness the subjects' endurance capacity was reduced to 82.5-86.9% of the control values. Complete recovery was attained later than 4 months after the acute disease. In 21 healthy male control subjects confined to bed for the same period of time as the patients no reduction of endurance capacity was observed as a result of bed rest. The illness induced and long-lasting impairment of static endurance after acute febrile infections might be resated to observations in similar patients of reduced activity in muscle tissue of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase being a key enzyme in glycolysis.


Differential count and quantitative estimation of granulocytes, mononuclear leukocytes and renal epithelial cells in urine. Voided urine samples from healthy persons and patients with glomerulonephritis, chronic pyelonephritis and bacterial urinary tract infection were examined. Urine from healthy persons contained 0-12 granulocytes/mm3, 0 mononuclear leukocytes/mm3 and -2 renal epithelial cells/mm3. Urine from patients contained a larger number of cells/mm3 than did urine from healthy persons. With differential counting of granulocytes, mononuclear leukocytes and renal epithelial cells patients with glomerulonephritis could be separated from patients with chronic pyelonephritis or bacterial urinary tract infection. The percentage values obtained at differential counting were not correlated to age, sex, total number of cells/mm3, proteinuria or serum creatinine level.


Solitary calcaneal metastasis as the first sign of gastric cancer. A case report. A case of gastric adenocarcinoma is reported where the first symptom was a solitary calcaneal metastasis. The metastastic symptoms occurred in previously fractured bone, one year before the onset of gastric symptoms. This history is rare and the eight cases found in the literature where gastric cancer has started with solitary bone metastasis are reviewed.


A variant chromosome 17 in a mother with repeated abortions and a 46, XY/47, XXY Klinefelter son. A female with a satellited chromosome 17 is presented. She had suffered repeated abortions and later gave birth to a 46,XY/47,XXY Klinefelter boy. The significance of the variant chromosome 17 in the etiology of the mother's reproductive failure is discussed. The mental and physical development of her now 8-year-old 46,XY/47,XXY son has been checked regularly since birth. The boy showed a significant deviation in behaviour pattern and development of body habitus already from early infancy.


The effect of O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutoside (HR) on macromolecular leakage, thrombosis and haemostasis in experimental animals. O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutoside (HR) (Venoruton, Zyma AS, Nyon, Switzerland) has been investigated experimentally to evaluate the effect on microvascular permeability and thromboembolism. Permeability to macromolecules is diminished in a hamster cheek-pouch model. Haemostatic plug formation is impaired whereas laser-induced intravascular platelet aggregation is uninfluenced. There is a small but insignificant protection against sodium morrhuate (Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, Indiana) induced femoral vein thrombosis.


The inherent mathematical error factors in the radiological determination of heart volume. When heart volume is calculated from two X-ray projections, part of the error is due to the fact that the formulas employed are not mathematically exact. This error was calculated for a variety of shapes and positions of the heart. The results indicate that this error may reach about 30% for hearts of fairly ordinary shape. When the standard projections are used, horizontally positioned hearts are particularly liable to give rise to large errors of this kind.


Studies on toxaemia of pregnancy with special reference to blood pressure. II. Results after 6-11 years' follow-up. One hundred and fifty women with a diagnosis of toxaemia of pregnancy treated in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Uppsala between 1964 and 1968 were investigated. One hundred women were still living in the area in 1975 and thus could be restudied. The participation rate was 100% in this group. After this follow-up period of 6-11 years 17 women were hypertensives at the investigation and 12 were already on antihypertensive therapy. The incidence of hypertension was thus 29%. The toxaemic women who had developed gypertension showed a higher frequency of a family history of hypertension as well as of cardiovascular lesions than the toxaemic women with normal blood pressures at follow-up. At the time of the toxaemia the future hypertensive women (n=29) had a higher blood pressure on admission, as well as a greater body weight, than the women who were normotensive at the follow-up investigation. Forty-six of the 100 re-studied women were taking contraceptive pills. Seven developed hypertension while 'on the pill'. Four of these became normotensive after discontinuating the pill.


Diphenylamine-induced renal lesions in the chicken. Chronic intoxication with diphenylamine (DPA), which causes a cystic kidney disease in the rat and the guinea-pig, caused degeneration of the renal tubular epithelium in the chicken. This was similar to but much more serious than that preceding the formation of cysts in the rodents, but did not actually result in cyst formation, probably because of the high mortality rate observed in the birds even at this early stage. In the chicken until now it had been possible to obtain a pattern of renal cysts only with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) which also induce the "chick oedema" syndrome. The renal lesions due to DPA in the chicken were similar to those produced by PCB, but were not accompanied by oedema, which suggests that "chick oedema" caused by PCB is not due to renal insufficiency. The differences in the renal lesions noted in the various animal species give credit to the hypothesis that DPA may have two effects on the tubular epitelium, one stimulating cell proliferation and one leading to degeneration. Cysts may be formed only in those species in which there is cell proliferation.


Special considerations with regard to the dosage of tranexamic acid in patients with chronic renal diseases. Tranexamic acid is a potent antifibrinolytic drug frequently used in the treatment of haematuria and a number of other haemorrhagic conditions. Since it is eliminated mainly in the urine, the drug accumulates in patients with uraemia. The excretion of tranexamic acid in patients with renal failure has been investigated and dosage recommendations are given for tranexamic acid therapy in cases of renal failure.


Blood coagulation studies in patients with advanced carcinoma of the prostate treated with 2,6-cis-diphenylhexamethylcyclotetrasiloxane or estramustine-17-phosphate. Two drugs, 2,6-cis-diphenylhexamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (Cisobitan) and estramustine-17-phosphate (Estracyt) were given to patients with poorly differentiated metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. The effect of the drugs on blood coagulation was investigated. Some parameters showed changes during the treatment: Antithrombin III decreased in the Estracyt treated patients to a level which might imply a thrombogenic effect. Fibrinogen decreased, whereas factor VIII showed no consistent change. Normotest changes appeared to correlate with liver damage whereas antithrombin III showed no change. Increased levels of fibrinogen degradation products and fibrinopeptide A (FPA) were more frequent in the group of deteriorating patients. However, the number of FPA analyses were too small for any definite conclusions regarding possible disseminated intravascular coagulation.


Early reconstruction of wide ureter in children. Fifty children with 66 megaureters have been treated with complete surgical reconstruction and reimplantation of the ureter. The procedure was done unilaterally in 34 and bilaterally in 16 patients. Fourteen of the bilateral cases were corrected in one procedure. The results in the reported series seem to justify the conclusion that early reconstruction forms a ureter which is neither wide, nor elongated, nor tortuous and thus able to transport urine.


Partial nephrectomy in surgical treatment of calculous disease. Of a total of 158 partial nephrectomies, a detailed follow-up for up to sixteen years was obtained in 131. The rate of true ipsilateral recurrences was 26 per cent. Computer analysis of various parameters indicated that a previous history of a stone in the same or the contralateral kidney, or the presence of multiple or scattered stones in the affected side, were associated with a particularly high recurrence rate. Urinary infection at the time of or prior to operation was not of prognostic significance. The importance of complete excision of the calyceal neck was confirmed. It was concluded that the operation is logical for removal of a diseased segment of kidney, but generally cannot be recommended in the hope of removing a stone-bearing area of kidney and hence reducing the recurrence rate.


Clinical trial of cisplatinum (NSC 119875) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Thirty-two patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma were treated with cisplatinum, 100 mg./M2 at twenty-eight-day intervals. The drug was given intravenously after first assuring adequate hydration. Response could be determined in 23 patients. There were no partial or complete responses, although 1 patient had less than a 50 per cent reduction in pulmonary lesions and 7 patients had stabilization of their disease for periods ranging from three to seven months. It is concluded that the therapeutic value of cisplatinum in the treatment of advanced renal carcinoma is negligible when used as a single agent.


Cyclophosphamide and carcinoma of bladder. A case of carcinoma of the bladder developing in a patient who received cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) therapy for carcinoma of the breast is presented. Hemorrhagic cystitis si a well-documented complication of such therapy. Several recent reports of carcinoma of the bladder in patients receiving cyclophosphamide should make physicians aware of this potential association.


Results of large-caliber internal urethrotomy. Thirty-five patients undergoing internal urethrotomy for urethral stricture disease were reviewed retrospectively. Eight patients had conventional urethrotomies (less than 36 F) while 27 had large-caliber urethrotomies (greater than 40 F). Large-caliber urethrotomy tends to give longer symptom-free intervals immediately postoperatively, but long-term results show little difference between the two groups.


Regional lymph nodes in infants with embryonal carcinoma of testis. Clinical and pathologic material from 16 infants with embryonal carcinoma of the testis was reviewed specifically as to the route of metastatic spread and the findings obtained from retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Hematogenous metastases were noted in 3 patients (19 per cent) and lymphatic metastases were observed in 2 patients (13 per cent). In 12 patients in whom disease was clinically limited to the testis retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy was negative, although a review of the literature suggests that unsuspected metastases might be expected in 6 per cent of such patients. The 2 patients who had lymph node metastases had large, clinically evident but unresectable retroperitoneal lymph node masses. The low yield of retroperitoneal metastases in early disease makes lymphadenectomy suspect as a primary staging or treatment procedure, but the occasional patient presenting with retroperitoneal disease requires that the procedure not be abandoned at this time.


Oligospermia secondary to müllerian duct cyst. Simple surgical cure. Fertility evaluation of a twenty-three-year-old male with severe oligospermia revealed a müllerian duct cyst that appeared to compress both ejaculatory ducts. Simple endoscopic unroofing of the cyst was followed by disappearance of the mass felt rectally, improvement of the radiographic appearance of the seminal tracts, and a return of the seminal analyses to well within fertile range. Müllerian duct cysts may be a rare cause of surgically correctable male infertility. Endoscopic unroofing of small müllerian duct cysts appears to be the treatment of choice in young males in whom there is concern for preserving fertility and potency.


Renal failure secondary to angiomyolipoma. Case of Forme-Fruste tuberous sclerosis. A fifty-four-year-old woman without the clinical features of tuberous sclerosis underwent nephrectomy at age thirty-three years for angiomyolipoma, and twenty-one years later severe renal failure developed. At necropsy the remaining kidney had extensive angiomyolipomatous involvement; not until the brain was examined was the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis made. To date, this would appear to be the third case without clinical tuberous sclerosis in which renal involvement was the sole clinical expression of tuberous sclerosis, and the seventh reported instance of renal failure due to renal angiomyolipomatous hamartomatous transformation.


Aids in diagnosis of suspect ectopic ureters in female patients. When suspected ectopic ureters cannot be visualized by conventional methods, such as excretory urogram, nephrotomograms, or by intravenous indigo carmine, then direct injection of vaginal, suburethral, or paraurethral "swellings," which are in effect dilated terminal ureters, may confirm the diagnosis.


Sacrococcygeal teratoma.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma. Two cases of sacrococcygeal teratomas are presented. One case illustrates the long course of urologic problems produced by a "successful" removal of the tumor. The literature is reviewed, and the characteristics of this congenital tumor are discussed.


Cutaneous metastases from prostatic carcinoma. A case of prostatic adenocarcinoma associated with extensive cutaneous metastases and malignant acanthosis nigricans is reported. Pertinent literature is reviewed. The pathogenesis of the possible mechanism of the development of cutaneous metastases in this as well as other related cases is discussed.


Myelolipoma of adrenal.

Myelolipoma of adrenal. A case of a forty-six-year-old woman with an adrenal myelolipoma on the left side is reported. The presenting complaint was pain, and investigation revealed a large, relatively avascular nonfunctioning tumor of the left adrenal. This rare (ninth reported instance of surgical removal) tumor is briefly reviewed.


Uncommon radiologic observations in renal milk-of-calcium stone. Milk-of-calcium stone is a rare finding in the kidney. It is diagnosed radiologically based on the fact that the opacity takes a semilunar shape and layers according to the position of the patient. An unusual observations is that layering may require some time to take place and that the semilunar configuration may be found incidentally in the supine position as well.


Upside-down spleen as cause of suprarenal mass. An upside-down configuration of the spleen can be mistaken for a left suprarenal mass. A radioisotopic liver-spleen scan will demonstrate a characteristic appearance of the spleen with its hilus superiorly and its convex border medially and adjacent to the kidney. When a left suprarenal mass is identified, we advocate the liver-spleen scan as the first step in the diagnostic workup. If the typical configuration is found, no further studies are necessary.


[Diagnosis and the clinical and experimental substantiation of the surgical procedure in kidney injuries in children]. The work is grounded on the results of clinical observations over 154 children with renal injuries. It has been proved experimentally that in organ-sparing operations catgut is the best hemostatic material, the pararenal fat rates next to it. Muscular tissue is less suitable for hemostasis, as in the late postoperative periods, following its use, sclerosis, pyelonephritis and atrophy of the injured kidney are likely to develop.


[Emergency esophagoscopy in chemical burns in children]. Esophagoscopy performed within the first hours after the burn trauma helps to find out the localisation and extension of the burn. An abundant washing of the esophagus carried out within the first day after trauma, administration of novocain, early feeding and, in case of a general resorptive effect of a poison, a timely correction of homeostasis disturbances permit to manage without bougieurage of the esophagus. Later on a control esophagoscopy favours the following-up of the healing of the burn and the correction of the treatment process, if needed. The described method has been used in the treatment of 225 patients. Late results have been studied in 57 cases of severe and moderate esophageal burns. No scarry strictures have been found.


[Anesthesiological support of osteosynthesis of the proximal portion of the femur in the middle-aged and elderly]. The observations over 296 elderly and senile patients with fractures of the proximal portion of the femur have proved that intravenous preparations (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, viadril, ketamine, sombrevin, seduxen) are the most promising narcotics, especially in patients with a considerable surgical risk. A thorough postoperative control and timely and complete correction of hemodynamic disorders, functional disturbances of external respiration and metabolic disorders, together with a wide use of exercise therapy and physiotherapy, favour the rehabilitation of such patients.


[Results of repeated operations in cancer of the major duodenal papilla]. 15 repeated operations for cancer of the major duodenal papilla were carried out. Gastroduodenal obstruction, recurrent jaundice, external bile fistulas, uneffective first operation served as indications for these interventions. Pathological conditions following a radical operation in cancer of the major duodenal papilla are not always due to the progress of the tumor. Repeated operations for cancer of this localization are by far justified with appropriate indications.


[Therapeutic action of stress caused by surgical intervention in viral hepatitis and other diseases]. The data on 27 cases of parenchymatous jaundice resulting from acute virus hepatitis (16) chronic hepatitis (6), primary biliary liver cirrhosis (5) are analyzed in this work. All the patients underwent diagnostic laparotomy. The authors have come to the conclusion that the stress induced by surgical interventions results, as a rule in a rapid favorable change in the clinical course of virus hepatitis. Surgical interventions are not likely to exert a therapeutic effect upon patients with chronic hepatitis and primary biliary liver cirrhosis.


[Functional state of the adrenal cortex in calculous cholecystitis complicated by mechanical jaundice in elederly patients]. The functional status of the adrenal cortex in 26 elderly patients suffering from calculous cholecystitis complicated with mechanical jaundice has been studied. The activation of the glucocorticoid function and the depression of the androgenic one have been found. These changes of hormonal balance were found at all the stages of surgical treatment; they were the most pronounced in case of a severe clinical course of the disease.


[Pathogenesis of paralytic intestinal obstruction in peritonitis]. The author believes that the vascular spasm does not play any part in the occurrence of functional ileus in peritonitis. Humoral factors, such as the loss of electrolytes and serotonin, which is of a specific mediatory effect upon the intestine in particular, are by far more important. It seems that some other humoral factors, e.g. bacterial toxins and endotoxins, formed during the inflammatory process, play their part too. The article is published for purposes of discussion in connection with the paper by Yu. L. Shal'kov. a coll. (Vestnik Khirurgii, 1976, N 4, p. 55).


[Chromolymphography in the oncological surgical clinic]. A new Soviet preparation for colour lymphography--chromolymphotrast--is presented in this paper. Radiopaque lymphography with the use of chromolymphotrast was carried out upon more than 50 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix and of the body of the womb. Besides, there is information concerning a successful use of the chromolymphotrast in cases of cancer of the vulva, mammary gland and rectum. Colour lymphography with the use of chromolymphotrast contributes to a more complete removal of lymphatic collectors. After a preliminary lymphography surgical interventions have acquired a radical character in 93.6% of operations on lymphatic nodes, thus adding to a decrease of the incidence rate of regional recurrences. The national medical industry has proceeded to the production of the preparation, which builds up the conditions for a broad use of colour radiopaque lymphography in oncology.


[Anterior tibial syndrome resulting from acute arterial insufficiency]. From the experience with 11 patients the authors show that in acute patency disorders of the iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries some symptoms of the injury mainly to the muscles and sometimes to the nerves of the anterior bed of the leg--"anterior tibial syndrome"--are likely to occur. An urgent reconstructive surgical intervention upon the artery, anterior fasciotomy is of a crucial importance in the treatment of this condition. Depending on the cause of the disease embol- and thrombectomy, circular suture or autovenous plasty of the artery were performed. 6 patients recovered, 3 patients developed a considerable functional disorder of the foot and toes extensors, in 2 patients the process resulted in the development of gangrene of the extremity.


[Characteristics and structure of automobile injuries]. The characteristics of peculiarities of a car trauma in 788 cases is presented. A multiple and combined character of injuries with a severe clinical picture (72.4%) is emphasized. The attention is drawn to leading and frequent severe sequelae of the trauma: massive blood loss (55.6%), disturbance of external respiration (56.7%), injuries to vitally important organs (54.7%), which constitute main causes of fatal outcome in acute period (25.9%). The difficulties, one encounters during the treatment of such injuries, are listed and the conclusion is drawn that the treatment of car injuries should be carried out in a specialized department with the participation of broadly qualified surgeons and reanimatologists.


[Acute digestive tract ulcers in patients suffering from burns]. Among the burned who died in the clinic of thermal injuries for the last 17 years acute ulcer of the gastrointestinal tract of various localization and number were found in 48 cases. Only in 13 of them the clinical diagnosis had been established. Bleeding from acute ulcers of the digestive tract and their perforation had been found, as a rule, at the 2nd and mainly at the 3rd week from the moment of the burn injury. A high lethality among the Curling's ulcer eases following both conservative and surgical treatment is noted.


The pathology of bovine mannosidosis.

The pathology of bovine mannosidosis. Mannosidosis of Angus calves is an inherited lethal disease associated with a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme alpha=mannosidase. It is characterised by vacuolation of neurons, macrophages, fixed reticuloendothelial cells, exocrine epithelial cells and to a lesser extent a wide variety of other cells. Vacuoles are shown to be membrane-bound vesicles and are considered to be secondary lysosomes in which are stored mannose-containing oligosaccharides that result from incomplete degradation of glycoproteins. Such glycoproteins may enter the lysomal system by heterophagy, autophagy or crinophagy. The presence in the pancreas of zymogen granules in storage vesicles indicates that incomplete degradation of secretory granules might help explain the widespread vacuolation of other exocrine cells. It is suggested that such granules may enter the lysosomal system by crinophagy.


High prevalence of thymoma in the dairy goat. Report of seventeen cases. Among 92 dairy goats, mainly of Saanen breeding, necropsied during studies on slow viral diseases, 17 (25.3%) of 67 over 2 years old had thymoma. Ten were females and seven were castrated males. In none was the thymoma accompanied by clinical signs attributable to it. Except for one at the thoracic inlet, all tumors were in the cranial mediastinal cavity. Encapsulated and sometimes cystic, they varied from a 2-centimeter nodule to a smoothly bosselated 10x8x8-centimeter mass weighing 300 grams. Although they were composed of lymphocytes and epithelial cells, small lymphocytes predominated in 16. One was predominantly epithelial. Hassall's corpuscles and myoid cells were seen in all tumors. In 12 tumors, small veins were encircled by spaces that varied from empty clefts to wide, fluid-filled cavities. The high prevalence of thymoma in these goats supports previous reports that this tumor occurs more often in Capra hircus than in other domestic animals. It may be one of the more common neoplasms in older goats.


Pulmonary pathology of the motheaten mouse. Mice, homozygous for the motheaten gene, developed an unusual pneumonia that was the cause of natural death of mice by 7 weeks of age. Initial lesions consisted of focal accumulations of alveolar macrophages in alveoli, especially adjacent ot bronchioles. Needle-like crystals formed in lysosomes of macrophages and numerous macrophages with crystals filled most alveoli in 5- to 7-week-old mice. Although motheaten mice had lesions in other tissues and were shown by other investigators to have immunological defects, the unusual pneumonia was the only lesion severe enough to cause death.


Pathological evaluation of paratuberculosis in naturally infected cattle. Thirty-two of 51 cattle infected with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis had chronic enteritis, chronic lymphangitis or mesenteric lymphadenopathy, or all three, at slaughter. Granulomatous inflammatory lesions were mild to advanced and predominantly involved the distal small intestine. Rectal involvement was seen only in five cattle. Fourteen had microgranulomas in the liver. There were three cytological forms of macrophages: histiocytic, polygonal and epithelioid. The latter two types had engulfed moderate numbers of acid-fast bacilli. The histiocytic macrophages usually were packed with acid-fast bacilli. Except in the liver and occasionally its nodes, remote lesions of paratuberculosis were not found in other organs. One animal had endocardial and aortic calcifications. Most cattle with signs of diarrhea had globule leukocytes in or around myenteric ganglion cells. The thymus of 3- to 8-year-old cattle with clinical signs frequently had mild to advanced involution. The thymus of similarly aged infected animals without clinical signs, and of paratuberculosis-negative animals, had not involuted.


Medulloepithelioma of the ciliary body in the goldfish (Carassius auratus). A medulloepithelioma of the ciliary body in the right eye of a 1-year-old goldfish (Carassius auratus) had spindle and epithelial cells arranged either in columns or around a central lumen. Vitreous-like material was found within the tumor. A medulloepithelioma is a most unusual tumor in fish in which ocular tumors are rare.


Heterotopic calcification in swine.

Heterotopic calcification in swine. Pigs on nutritional studies developed heterotopic calcifications in the left atrial endocardium, submucosa of the gastric fundus and to a lesser extent in other sites. Light and electron microscopy of mineralized tissue showed early edema and connective tissue change, deposition of calcium, granulomatous reaction and repair. There was no alkaline phosphatase activity at the sites of calcification and the distribution of this enzyme activity was normal in other tissues. Increased acid phosphatase activity was demonstrated only in the lysosomes of macrophages in areas of granulomatous inflammation. Calcium and magnesium were within normal range in serum and femoral bone. The character and distribution of the lesions suggested the possibility of protracted low grade hypervitaminosis D3.


Transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia. After exposure to a variant of Citrobacter freundii, suckling and adult mice developed transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia of the same degree of severity. Mucosal hyperplasia was most severe 2 to 3 weeks after inoculation and then regressed. Suckling mice had a high mortality because of secondary inflammatory and erosive changes. Severe hyperplasia was characterized by mitotic activity along the entire crypt column and surface mucosa.


Use of Hexcelite for the immobilisation of the limbs of large animals. The use of a thermoplastic linear polyester polymer orthopaedic tape in the treatment of six horses, one donkey and a bull with a variety of orthopaedic problems requiring immobilisation of a limb is described.


Reproductive performance of ewes mated to rams heterozygous for the Massey I (t1) centric fusion (Robertsonian) translocation. One hundred Scottish Blackface ewes were mated to New Zealand Romney rams heterozygous for the Massey I (t1) centric fusion (Robertsonian) translocation. The lambing percentage of ewes lambed was 131 and the segregation of normal to balanced heterozygous lambs was 1:1. No chromosomally unbalanced lambs were born. Nine heterozygous females were mated to a heterozygous male and produced two homozygous, three heterozygous and seven normal lambs. The homozygous male had hypoplastic testes. The results indicate that there is no significant reduced fertility with 53XYt1 rams but that fertility of 52XYt1t1 rams should be further investigated.


Pregnancy toxaemia of beef cows in Orkney. Pregnancy toxaemia in beef cows is assessed based on approximately 30 isolated cases seen in Orkney during the period 1974 to 1977. Case histories of nine of these are included. A mortality rate of over 90 per cent was recorded. The importance of nutrition and early detection is emphasised.


[Cytochrome concentration at different times and low-temperature conditions of preservation of rat kidney cortical homogenates]. Content of cytochromes (a, c+c1) was decreased in rat kidney cortex homogenates, depending on periods and conditions of storage. Optimal conditions were chosen for prolonged storage of the biomaterial. Under these conditions concentrations of the cytochromes were altered only slightly.


[Intensity of the metabolism of separate brain phospholipid fractions in hyperphenylalaninemia]. Effect of acute and chronic forms of hyperphenylalaninemia on intensity of metabolism and content of some phospholipid fractions was studied in brain of growing rats. Acute form of hyperphenylalaninemia caused a decrease in metabolic activity of phospholipids but did not affect their content. In chronic hyperphenylalaninemia more distinct alterations in brain phospholipids metabolism were manifested as a decrease in their content and in their metabolic intensity. The data obtained suggest that brain demyelination developed in chronic hyperphenylalaninemia.


[Valyl- and alanyl-tRNA-synthetase activity in the skeletal muscles of the rabbit in diabetes and during insulin administration]. Activities of alanyl- and valyl tRNA synthetases were considerably higher in rabbit muscle soleus than in muscle gastrocnemius. Repeated injections of insulin into normal rabbits as well as impairment of animals by experimental alloxan diabetes within two weeks did not alter significantly the activity of the synthetases in red and mixed muscles.


[Phospholipid distribution and metabolism in the neurons and neuroglia]. Ratio and intensity of metabolism of phospholipid separate fractions were studied in neurons and neuroglia, isolated from brain cortex by differential ultracentrifugation in density gradient of sucrose and Ficoll with the rate of enriching up to 90% and 80%, respectively. Neurons were characterized by the higher ratio of monophosphoinositides and lysophosphatidyl cholines as compared with neuroglia. Content of phosphatide acids and sphingomyelins was higher in neuroglia. The most specific radioactivity was observed in phosphatide acids both in neurons and neuroglia if 2(-14)C-acetate was administered. Neurons were shown to have higher metabolism of the separate fractions of phospholipids.


[Guinea pig brain and spinal cord glycolipids in tricresyl phosphate poisoning]. Experimental neuroparalytic form of chronic intoxication with tricresylphosphate (TCP was induced in adult guinea pigs by means of single intracutaneous administration of TCP (industrial mixture containing 37% of ortho-isomer) at a dose of 2.0-2.2 ml/kg of body weight. Moderate and severe forms of the impairment, accompanied by paresis and paralysis of hind extremities was developed in 66.1% of the treated animals. Content of galactolipids (cerebrosides + sulphatides) and gangliosides was determined in brain stem, lumbar and sacral parts of spinal cord of intact and impaired animals. Content of galactolipids was distinctly decreased in spinal cord (by 22.9%) and in brain stem (9.0%). Total gangliosides were decreased by 19.1% in spinal cord, but its content was altered in brain stem. These alterations appear to reflect destructive processes not only in myelin membranes but also in structure of neurones.


[Thioamine compound content in urine determined by using an iodine-azide reagent and selenious acid reaction]. Iodine-azide reagent enabled to evaluate quantitatively content of thioamines excreted within a day. Concentration of thioketons in urine of patients was 11-15 microgram/eqv of thiourea per 1 ml, at the same time their excretion within a day accounted for 13.06 +/- 0.56 mg/eqv in women and 22.11 +/- 1.1 mg/eqv in men. Neither concentration of thioketones in urine nor their excretion in patients with various tumors studied were distinct from these patterns in urine of non-oncologic patients. Comparison of these two methods suggests that development of color on addition of selenous acid to urine is not due to reaction with thioamines present but to interaction with other unknown substances.


[Characteristics of estradiol-receptor interaction in the cytosol of the human Fallopian tubes]. Physico-chemical parameters (the rate constants of association and dissociation, half life of the estradiol-receptor complex, equilibrium constant, alteration of free energy of the bond) of estradiol-receptor interaction were studied in cytosole in human Fallopian tubes. Amounts of the cytoplasmic binding sites per cell were estimated. Specific interaction of the tube cytosole receptor system with 13 substances was examined. Steroid-receptor reaction has mainly been determined by presence of hydroxyl groups in the 3-d phenol and 17beta-positions. Nearest surroundings at the hydroxyls was also important for manifestation of the affinity of the steroids to the system studied.


[Distribution and properties of the alkaline phosphatase in the human gastric mucosa in peptic ulcer]. In duodenal ulcer alkaline phosphatase activity was the highest in mucosa of pyloric region of curvature ventriculi minor and it decreased distinctly in the tissues removed from pylorus. In cases of gastric ulcer, the enzymatic activity was high throughout the curvatura ventriculi minor reaching the maximal value at the ulcerous zone. Alkaline phosphatase from gastric mucosa resembled the enzyme from intestine in its inhibition patterns with 1-phenylalanine and in inactivation properties at 56 degrees within 15 min; but, as distinct from the latter, the enzyme was more stable at 65 degrees within 5 min, maintaining 50% of the initial activity.


[Thiamine and pyruvate metabolism in tumor-bearing rats]. Correlation between pyruvate and lactate contents as well as between enzymes participating in turnover of the substrates (pyruvate- and lactate dehydrogenases, alanine aminotransferase, pyruvate kinase) were studied in rat liver tissue simultaneously with tumor growth and intensive thiaminotherapy. Thiamine, administered into rats carrying carcinosarcoma Woker-256 at a daily dose 12.5 mg/kg body weight, exhibited the normalizing effect on activity of enzymes studied, on quantitative content of LDH isoenzymes and on content of lactate in blood and of pyruvate in liver tissue. Possible effect of thiamine on pyruvate metabolism in tumoral impairment is discussed.


[Change in the histamine and serotonin levels in the external respiratory apparatus in botulinic poisoning in cats]. General botulinic intoxication in cats, accompanied by severe respiratory insufficiency, was characterized by distinct impairments in histamine and serotonin metabolism in external respiratory system. Pronounced increase in content of histamine was observed in impaired muscles and their corresponding regional centers of medulla spinalis, when botulinic intoxication had the local type with unilateral paralysis of diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Content of serotonin was increased in the tissues studied only at the later steps of local botulinic intoxication.


[Regulation of ubiquinone metabolism: a study in the regenerating rat liver]. Distinct increase in biosynthesis of ubiquinone and sterols was observed in regenerating liver tissue of rats; the rate of ubiquinone degradation was not altered. This phenomenon was characterized by incorporation of 14C-tyrosine into ubiquinone and of I-14C-acetate into ubiquinone and sterols in vivo and in vitro. An increased turnover of enzymes, participating in synthesis of the substances, was found in cytoplasm and mitochondria of regenerating liver after administration into animals with subtotal hepatectomy of specific inhibitors: cycloheximide, ethidium bromide, hydroxytetracycline, cholesterol and cholesterol with bile; relative rates of labelled precursors incorporation into ubiquinone and sterols were then estimated in vitro. The highest rate of I-14C-pacetate incorporation into ubiquinone was found within 24 hrs after hepatectomy, into sterols--within 48 hrs and 72 hrs after hepatectomy. Mitochondrial DNA appear to code certain functional proteins responsible for synthesis of ubiquinone in mitochondria. The enzymes, which formed precursors of isoprenoid substances in cytoplasm, were shown to regulate ubiquinone biosynthesis. Regulation of ubiquinone biosynthesis in regenerating liver is discussed.


[Effect of adrenalectomy and chemical sympathectomy on the catecholamines content in the central nervous system in hemorrhagic stress]. Content of adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and normetanephrine was estimated by means of trihydroxyindole method in samples of brain and its hypothalamic part from intact, adrenal- and sympathectomized rats within 15 min, 24 and 72 hrs after hemorrhagic stress (3% blood of body weight within 20 min). Stable increase in dopamine content was observed in brain at all the periods studied. Alterations in the noradrenaline turnover in central nervous system were related to the state of peripheral sympathoadrenal system at early posthemorrhagic steps; the phenomenon was not found at the later periods after stress.


[Ribosomal RNA degradation in rat skeletal muscle in the process of autolysis]. Comparative histochemical study of RNA content in normal and autolyzed within 72 hrs muscle tissue showed that the nucleic acid well retained during autolysis but the tissue was simultaneously destructed. Polymerization of rRNA in autolyzed tissue proved to depend on temperature of dead animals storage. An increase of temperature from 0 degrees to 21 degrees did not affect the rRNA yield. But amount of latent breaks, which were found in rRNA by methods of formamide and temperature treatment, was increased depending on increase in temperature and on length of animal storage after death. The latent breaks appear to be accumulated in animal tissues during autolysis.


[Relative content of the alpha-, beta- and gamma-chains of the soluble collagen fractions from the bone tissue of rats with a varying supply of vitamin D]. Insufficiency of vitamin D caused a decrease in content of salt- and acid soluble collagen fractions with simultaneous increase of insoluble its fraction in epiphyses of rat tubular bones. At the same time relative content of monomeric alpha-chains was decreased but content of dimeric (beta-chains) and trimeric (gamma-chains) subunits was increased in both collagen fractions. These data are in good agreement with assumption on the increased growth of bone collagen under insufficiency of vitamin D.


[Effect of vitamin K on lipid peroxidation in E-avitaminosis]. Content of malonic dialdehyde was increased 2-fold in liver homogenates of E-avitaminous animals and 5-fold in muscle homogenates. In animals, maintained at E-avitaminous diet but treated with vitamin K, content of malonic dialdehyde in liver homogenates was similar to its content in controls; it increased only 2-fold in muscle homogenates.


[Pathogenesis of hyperlipoproteinemia in rats after the administration of ethanol]. Single administration of ethanol at a dose of 6 g/kg of body weight caused accumulation of triglycerides in rat liver and development of hyperlipoproteinemia. Synthesis of mono-, di-, triglycerides and apoproteins of lipoproteins of very low density was increased in liver tissue. Lipoproteins of very low density were accumulated in blood; their transformation to lipoproteins of low density was impaired and synthesis of high density lipoproteins was decreased. In fatty tissue synthesis of fatty acids was decreased with simultaneous increase in activity of hormone-dependent lipoprotein lipase. Utilization of acetyl CoA pools, formed from exogenous 14C-acetate and 3H-leucine, was dissimilar in synthesis of neutral lipids and phospholipids; the phenomenon demonstrated that acetyl CoA pools were compartmentalized in synthesis of fatty acids.


[Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic study of the molecular weight of skeletal muscle and myocardial actin]. Actins, isolated from human sceletal and heart muscles, were studied using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They possessed similar electrophoretic mobility and molecular weight about 46000 daltons.


[Effect of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis on the intensity of phospholipid metabolism in the brain and spinal cord]. Metabolism of separate phospholipid fractions was studied in rabbit brain hemispheres, truncus cerebri, cervical and lumbar parts of spinal cord in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Different alterations in metabolic activity of phospholipids in brain and spinal cord were noted in EAE. In brain incorporation of 14C into separate phospholipid fractions was inhibited similarly. In spinal cord the direction of metabolic changes was different: metabolism of phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl serine was maximally inhibited in lumbar part and intensity of metabolism of phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidic acid was increased in cervical part.


[Change in the content of adenine nucleotides and creatine phosphate and in the activity of creatine kinase in the large intestine mucosa in chronic enterocolitis in relation to the severity of the disease]. Content of ATP, ADP, AMP, phosphocreatine and activity of creatine kinase were estimated in homogenates of biopsy material obtained from large intestine mucose of patients with chronic enterocolitis and of healthy persons. Impairments were observed in interrelations and transformations of adenine nucleotides and in creatine kinase reactions. Decrease in content of total adenine nucleotides and of ATP correlated with the degree of the disease severity. In severe cases the molar ratio ATP/ADP was distinctly decreased.