[Influence of b and giberellic acid on the transformation of lipids in glucids during the germination of sunflower seeds (author's transl)]. The transformation of total lipids in carbohydrates and the evolution of the fatty acids, constituents of these lipids, during the germination of sunflower seeds, soaked previously in B and giberellic acid solutions, was studied. An inverse relationship between the total content in fatty acids and sugars of the blank (H20) and AG3 treatments was found. However, in the whole germinative process, the B and B + AG3 treatments changed strongly the carbohydrates metabolism and no significant differences of those constituents was observed. The content in fatty acids in the two last treatments showed a great stability and the percentage of these components remained fixed in all the treatments.


T-maze shock avoidance in the hermit crab Dardanus arrosor. Specimens of the hermit crab Dardanus arrosor go indistinctively towards any of the arms of a T-maze if lighting is uniform. The difference between the probabilities of going towards one arm rather than the other tends to zero as the number of trials is increased. If only one of the arms is lightened, hermits go preferably towards the dark one: The difference between the two probabilities tends to 0.500. If the animals attracted by the dark zone are electroshocked (60 V, 2.5 seconds) near their oral zone, the probability of going towards the light zone increases (statistically significant). Differences between the learning abilities of both sexes are not significant.


[Structural requirements of guanine aminohydrolase (author's transl)]. Structural requirements of substrates and inhibitors of guinea-pig brain guanine aminohydrolase (GAH; E.C. 3.5.4.3), have been established by working with guanine analogs (8-azaguanine, 1-methylguanine, thioguanine and guanosine), purine precursors (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide), purinic bases (xanthine, hypoxanthine, adenine and uric acid) and pyrimidinic bases (citosine, thymine and uracil). The need of the purine ring for the compounds to behave as substrate has been shown. The carbonyl group placed in position 6, plays an essential role in purine and pyrimidine binding to the enzymatic molecule. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide and allopurinol are enzyme inhibitors, while guanosine, thioguanine and 2,6-diaminopurine are not. Groups in positions 2, 6, 7 and 9 play a significant role in the union of the guanine molecule with guanine aminohydrolase.


Changes in parameters of growth hormone and thyrotrophic hormone, and of thyroid function, during the early postnatal period in the rat. The body length, and the weight of the body, liver, kidney and brain have been measured daily in rats during the first 10 days after birth. The plasma and pituitary growth hormone and thyrotrophic hormone levels were also determined, as well as the thyroidal 127I content and the plasma PBI. This observation period comprises a critical stage during which administration of large doses of thyroid hormones result in a permanent derangement of the thyroid-pituitary interrelations, and impairment of body growth and pituitary GH economy. The rate of growth of body, liver and kidney has been found to decrease significantly from day 7th to 9th of post-natal age, later to increase again. The pattern of the changes observed in the plasma and pituitary GH levels during the same period might well account for the alterations in growth patterns. The rate of growth of the brain, however, is not decreased during this stage, and appears to be independent of the changes in GH economy. No clearcut pattern of changes was observed in plasma TSH level; the pituitary TSH and thyroidal 125I contents increased progressively during the entire observation period. Plasma from suckling rats often contained high concentrations of non identified iodinated compounds, which were not thyroid hormones. Results are discussed in terms of the possible relationships between thyroid hormone and GH economy during a critical developmental period.


Effect of group specific reagents on the Mg2 +/- dependent activity of purified Micrococcus lysodeikticus ATPase. A series of group specific reagents has been examined for their ability to inactivate Micrococcus lysodeikticus adenosine triphosphatase assayed with Mg2+ as activating divalent cation. The enzyme activity was not inhibited by sulphydryl, carboxyl, histidine, arginine and methionine specific reagents at inhibitor concentrations below 2 mM. However, the ATPase was inactivated by its chemical reaction with either one molecule of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid or tetranitromethane, or two to four molecules of N-bromosuccinimide. These results suggest that at least one amino group, one tyrosine and two to four tryptophans are involved in the Mg2+-dependent binding or hydrolysis of ATP.


[Excretion in basommatophora and stylommatophora pulmonata (author's transl)]. A comparative study on the kidney of Pulmonata living on land (Stylommatophora) and in fresh water (Basommatophora) was made. The sections performed in three different planes allowed us to know the 3-dimensional pattern of its components: renopericardial duct, kidney sac and ureter. Renopericardial duct runs far into the kidney sac. The duct of Basommatophora is longer and bears also longer cilia than that of Stylommatophora. Kidney sac is similar in both groups and is made up of a wall from which a complex lamellar system spreads into the cavity. Lamellae are longer and more numerous at the dorsal wall, being the lumen of the organ eccentric. The cavity is lined by columnar epithelial cells (nefrocytes) with brush border. Characteristic of the nefrocytes is the presence of a large apical vacuole containing an excretion granule. In Lymnaea there are also lamella lined by cubic epithelium without excretion granule. The union between kidney sac and ureter is different from one another in the three species studied. In Lymnaea the kidney sac narrows and forms the ureter; the connexion in Cryptomphalus is achieved through a 200 micrometer window; and in Helicella there is a duct between both parts. The ureter has a columnar epithelium with very deep infoldings of the basal cell membrane, according to its osmotic regulative function. In Stylommatophora there are primary and secondary ureters, while in Basommatophora there is only one type.


Development of lymphocyte populations in lymph nodes of the mouse. Lymphocytic colonization of lymph nodes in mouse is studied. Lymphocytes are first seen through the walls of post-capillary venules in diapedesis and nodal parenchyma on the second day after birth. Large lymphocytes are observed in nodal parenchyma between the 4th and 6th day. The nodular pattern appears on the 24th day with development of primary nodules.


[Comparative study of six methods for lymphocyte isolation from several mammalian sources and determination of their carbohydrate composition (author's transl)]. The present paper deals with a comparative study on six methods for isolation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from various mammalian sources: Bos taurus L. (adult cow), Equus caballus L. (adult horse), Equus asinus L. (adult and young donkeys) and Sus scropha L. (adult pig). The following systems were used: a) Filtration through sand columns (a modification of Blaszczyszyn's method); b) Sodium metrizoate and "Ficoll 400" c) "Lymphoprep"; d) "Urovison" and dextran T150 (a modification of GILI et al.'s method); e) "Urografin" and dextran T150; f) "Ficoll-Paque". The final preparation of lymphocytes obtained by "Urovison" and dextran T150 (d = 1.081) procedure was free from platelets and erythrocytes; lymphocytes degree of purity was found to be 98%. The sialic acids, hexoses and hexosamines contents were determined.


Different expressions for enzyme activities in organs of rat. Application to aspartate transaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase and AMP-deaminase. The widely used activity expressions for enzyme levels in tissues are discussed: microkatals per unit of tissue weight, protein weight, and DNA weight. The expression of microkatals present in a definite organ in reference to a standard animal weight, 100 g in the case of rat, is also used. The different expressions are applied to aspartate transaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase and AMP deaminase activities in liver, hind leg striated muscle and kidneys in rat. The conclusion is reached that measurements of enzyme activity in tissues should be expressed in more than one form, as the information drawn from one could differ substantially from that obtained from other, giving artifactual views of the metabolic role played by the enzyme in a given tissue.


[Effect of caffeine on calcium transport in mitochondria from rat liver (author's transl)]. The influence of caffeine on the calcium transport through membrane has been studied in recently isolated mitochondria from rat liver. Incubated respiring mitochondria in 1.5 X 10(-4) M Ca2+ solutions, show a 2-3 minutes delay in the beginning of calcium uptake in presence of caffeine, independently of the drug concentration (5.1 X 10(-5) M or 2.5 X 10(-4) M). At a higher concentration (5.1 X 10(-4) M) Ca2+ influx is completely inhibited at least during 5 minutes. Ruthenium red stops the influx reaction acting in the same way as in absence of caffeine. A rapid Ca2+ efflux induced by caffeine is observed in mitochondria with a high calcium content (60-90 nmole/mg protein) that stops when the initial level is reached (15 nmol/mg protein). An accummulation of Ca2+ ions in the intracellular media is to be expected due to the presence of caffeine, as it has an inhibition effect on the calcium uptake mechanism of mitochondria and induces the exit of Ca2+ ions even in a high external calcium concentration (10(-4) M).


Role of individual free fatty acids in migraine. Total plasma free fatty acids, platelet serotonin content and plasma stearic, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were estimated in 10 migraine patients before, during and after a migraine attack. Total and individual plasma free fatty acid levels rose and platelet serotonin content fell in most patients. The highest rise was observed in linoleic acid, which is known to be a potent liberator of platelet serotonin in vitro and is the only precursor of all prostaglandins in the body. It is suggested that the rise in plasma levels of linoleic acid in migraine could be responsible for the platelet serotonin release observed during the attack. At the same time, it may also serve as a source of increased prostaglandin E1 synthesis, which has a powerful vasodilating effect. It is realized that both suggestions have to be confirmed by relevant investigations, as outlined in the body of this paper.


Headache determination by meteorotropic influences. Using the biometeorologic system proposed by Brezowsky, the chronological distribution of migraine attacks was analysed in 4 patients over a 5-year period. A correlation of complaints with physical indices (atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity and ionisation) could not be established. However, a significantly high incidence of headache symptoms was shown in the biometeorologic phase 6Z (although other investigators have reported such an increase in weather phases 3 and 4). The important common denominator of these weather phases seems to be a disturbed circadian rhythm which interferes with endogenous biorhythms and triggers attacks of headache.


Association of psychological measurements of anxiety and depression with headache history in a non-clinic population. In a group of 711 non-clinic individuals, a self-administered questionnaire gave data on the life history of headache of defined severity and psychological states as defined by the Zung SDS and the Bendig-Taylor test. When the population was divided into those with and those without a history of disabling or severe headache, significantly higher scores for the former were found on both 'anxiety' and 'depression' tests--for both sexes, at all ages. Zung SDS scores fell from youth to middle age, then rose in old age. When the frequency and duration of headache were studied in association with psychological tests, the most significant association was found between headache frequency and depression scores.


Observations on the treatment of an acute attack of migraine. In 1976, 310 patients attended the Princess Margaret Clinic for treatment of an acute headache. 90% were either symptom-free or had only slight residual headache after 4 h. The treatment given was metaclopramide and an effervescent analgesic. 69% of patients had some form of sedation and 10% ergotamine tartrate. Those patients who had treatment between 6 and 12 h following the onset of an attack had significantly fewer attacks in the next 7 days. Patients who slept during an attack, with a sedative where indicated, recovered more quickly than those who did not sleep. The depth of sleep did not affect the rate of recovery. A higher percentage of patients with migraine compared with those with tension headache were either symptom-free or had only slight residual headache on leaving.


Decentralization supersensitivity in headache and central panalgesia. Central panalgesia is a syndrome which includes systemic pains of a central nature, usually classified as hysteria, fibrositis and masked depression. Exploration of the peripheral neuromuscular junctions (in the iris by pupillometry, and in veins by computerized venotest) indicates an increased monoamine receptor sensitivity. 5-HT vein sensitivity is particularly impressive (up to 1,000 times). In the vein there appears to be a decentralization supersensitivity, as it is extended to different monoamines (5-HT, dopamine, noradrenaline, tyramine). This type of supersensitivity is compatible with the theory of a deficiency of neurotransmitters at the level of the anti-nociceptive and integrated systems, with subsequent central and peripheral supersensitivity. A similar condition limited to the rostral section of the anti-nociceptive system is valid for the mechanism of idiopathic headache including migraine: central and peripheral supersensitivity to monoamines and opiates is also episodically observed in headache sufferers.


Spasmogen release from an extracranial vascular bed evoked by neurohumoral stimuli and periods of vascular stasis. The hypothesis that pro-inflammatory spasmogens may be generated locally in the vessels of the head by neurohumoral stimuli has been tested using an isolated extracranial vascular bed from the rabbit. No spasmogen release was detected after adenosine triphosphate, histamine, acetylcholine or noradrenaline and was seen rarely after tyramine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Both sympathetic nerve stimulation and periods of vascular stasis released spasmogen, probably an E-type prostaglandin. The local generation of pro-inflammatory substances by excess sympathetic stimulation and/or vascular stasis might contribute to the development and maintenance of the acute migraine attack.


Studies on the 5-HT receptor in vascular smooth muscle. Changes in tension were monitored isometrically on spiral strips of freshly obtained bovine basilar arteries. Ergotamine (E), dihydroergotamine (DHE), methysergide (M) and pizotifen (BC-105) displaced the concentration-response curve for 5-HT in a noncompetitive way and in similar concentration ranges as indicated by the pD' 2(60 min) values of the three ergot alkaloids (E: 9.2, M: 9.1, DHE: 8.8) and the pD' 2(30 min) value (8.9) of BC-105. The ergot alkaloids but not BC-105 also exhibited considerable stimulating activity. The calculated pD2 values were 8.8 for E, 8.6 for DHE and 6.6 for M. Relative to 5-HT (= 1) the intrinsic activities were 0.4, 0.2 and 0.1 for E, DHE and M, respectively. BC-105 was nearly equipotent in antagonizing responses to 5-HT, E and DHE suggesting that both ergot alkaloids act as noncompetitive dualists at the 5-HT receptor. The results suggest that the strong stimulant rather than the blocking activity at the 5-HT receptor of ergotamine may be an important property for its therapeutic efficacy in migrainous attacks.


Cerebral blood flow in migraine and cluster headache. Compartmental analysis and reactivity to anaesthetic depression. CBF was studied in 15 cases of vascular headache by the 135Xe intra-arterial injection method. The mean CBF was found to be increased during the headache phase of the migraine attacks in half the cases, mainly due to an increase in the rapid component (CBFg). After the attack there could be an increase or a decrease of the slow component (CBFw). Reactivity to anaesthetic depression was studied in 8 migraine cases and on the whole it was found not to be much altered in most cases. Finally, no modifications of CBF were found in any of 3 cases of cluster headache who were studied during attacks of severe pain.


Improved pharmacological activity via pro-drug modification: comparative pharmacokinetics of sodium gamma-hydroxybutyrate and gamma-butyrolactone. Although gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) rapidly converts to gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in vivo, the lactone gave significantly more prolonged hypnotic effects than GHB when equimolar doses were compared both parenterally and orally in rats. Plasma drug concentrations were higher after GBL administration through both routes, consistent with the observed differences in the pharmacological activity of these two compounds. Oral GBL was absorbed much faster than oral GHB, with the dual effects of decreasing potential first-pass metabolism and elevating plasma drug concentrations to the region where capacity-limited elimination is operative. Parenteral GBL produced a slower initial drug plasma clearance than parenteral GHB. In spite of the rapid metabolism of GBL to GHB, the apparent tissue distribution of these two compounds may be different.


The effects of phenformin in normal vs. diabetic isolated perfused rat liver. In the isolated perfused liver system high concentrations of phenformin (0.93--1.24 mM) were required to reduce the greater than two-fold elevated rate of gluconeogenesis from L-[U-14C]lactate in acutely alloxan diabetic (48-hour) and chronically alloxan diabetic (7-day) rat livers to the slower rate of normal fed livers. At these phenformin concentrations, other hepatic functions such as substrate uptake and 14CO2 production were also inhibited. The livers were also in a very reduced state under these conditions as indicated by the elevated ratios of the redox couples lactate/pyruvate and 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetic acid. The results are interpreted to indicate that if phenformin functions as an antidiabetic (hypoglycemic) agent by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis to normal levels, it is also generally toxic to the liver under such conditions. The results are discussed in relation to current hypotheses of the mechanism of action of phenformin and to phenformin-associated lactic acidosis.


[3H] 2-Amino-6,7-dihydroxy 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronapthalene (ADTN): a potential specific dopamine receptor ligand. The characteristics of [3H] 2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronapthalene (ADTN) binding to calf striatal membranes were investigated. [3H]ADTN was observed to bind with high affinity and stereospecificity to a preparation of crude synaptic membranes. A number of dopamine agonists and antagonists were studied for their ability to displace bound [3H]ADTN. Dopamine agonists were found to be more potent inhibitors of ADTN binding than were dopamine antagonists. Kinetic analysis indicates that [3H]ADTN binds to dopamine recognition sites in a manner comparable to dopamine itself. Overall, the data suggest that ADTN may be a useful ligand for the characterization of agonist requirements for recognition by dopamine binding sites.


A simple, sensitive method for the quantitation of kanamycin in tissue and biological fluids. A method is described for the quantitative determination of kanamycin in blood, urine, cochlear perilymph and kidney. The method is simple, involving only protein precipitation, chromatographic separation and fluorometric determination following reaction with fluorescamine. The method is sensitive, determining as little as 80--100 ng/ml of kanamycin. The method is reliable, recovering better than 90% of the kanamycin added to the fluids and tissues mentioned. It is also less cumbersome and less expensive than other methods currently used.


Initial pharmacologic studies of amygdalin (laetrile) in man. A simple enzymatic assay has been applied to the determination of amygdalin in urine and plasma of patients taking laetrile on their own initiative. Following parenteral administration of laetrile, amygdalin is excreted primarily as the unchanged molecule and urinary recoveries may approach 100 percent. Peak plasma levels after a 6 gm intramuscular dose were 180 microgram/ml. The ratio of amygdalin epimers was unchanged in the urine following parenteral injection.


Anticonvulsant activity and monoamine oxidase inhibitory and antihemolytic properties of some newer 4-phenylpiperidino carbamides. Six 1-[N-acetyl(4-phenylpiperidino)]-3-aryl carbamides were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their anticonvulsant, monoamine oxidase inhibitory and antihemolytic properties. These compounds (100 mg/kg, i.p.) provided 10--80% protection against pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice. All carbamides (1 mM) inhibited (34--82%) in vitro activity of rat brain monoamine oxidase and provided 18--51% protection against in vitro hypoosmotic hemolysis of human red blood cells at a final concentration of 1 mM. Low toxicity of these carbamides was reflected by their high approximate LD50 values.


Comparison of the X537A-induced ionophoric removal of serotonin and tryptamine from intact human platelets. In the absence of appreciable dense-body release from platelets, X537A causes rapid movement of 90--95% of vesicular H3-5HT into the extracellular medium. X537A can in addition transport to the extracellular medium 20% of the total tryptamine sequestered in platelets. Investigation of the extraction of aqueous 5HT and tryptamine into a chloroform phase, and the subsequent extraction of each of the two amines from a chloroform to an aqueous phase, suggest that 5HT, but not tryptamine, is transported efficiently between aqueous phases through a non-polar solvent. The observed differences in the movement of the two amines through platelet membranes may be attributable to a similar phenomenon.


Studies on osteoporosis I. Experimental models. Effect of age, sex, genetic background, diet, steroid and heparin treatment on calcium metabolism of mice. C3H/St(Ha) and C57Bl/6(J) mice of both sexes and various ages were exposed to whole body neutron irradiation. The 49Ca generated (half life 8.8 minutes) was immediately determined in a whole body counter. Total body calcium content was calculated. It was assumed that 99% of this represented skeletal calcium. In females, significant decrease in calcium content occurred after 23 months of age. In C3H/St(Ha) mice, low calcium diet, heparin (500 i.u./Kg. b.i.d.) and prednisolone (50 mg/Kg) treatment accelerated calcium loss and produced significant decrease in 3 months. C57Bl/6(J) mice were less susceptible to the latter drugs.


Preliminary in vitro and in vivo investigations on methylprednisolone and its acetate. Sodium fluoride (6--8 mg/ml) inhibits hydrolysis of methylprednisolone acetate to methylprednisolone. An HPLC method for simultaneous determination of hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone and methylprednisolone acetate in plasma is presented. Analysis of plasma samples (containing NaF) for methylprednisolone acetate shows no significant change in concentration over extended periods of storage at -20 degrees C. In vitro hydrolysis of methylprednisolone acetate at 37 degrees C in human whole blood is rapid (average t1/2 = 19 min). In one cat, the bioavailabilities of methylprednisolone acetate rectally was 13% and of methylprednisolone (alcohol) rectally was 26%, relative to intravenous administration of methylprednisolone. In the same cat, the bioavailabilities of methylprednisolone acetate orally was 93% and of methylprednisolone was 82%, relative to intravenous administration of methylprednisolone. All samples collected after oral administration of methylprednisolone acetate to a human subject were found to contain only methylprednisolone (alcohol) indicating hydrolysis of the drug during absorption through the gastrointestinal membrane and/or in the liver. If the ester had the same half-life in blood in vivo as measured in vitro, it would have been measurable in plasma.


Circadian rhythm in hexobarbital sleep time: a dose-response evaluation in the mouse. Studies were conducted in an effort to determine if a circadian rhythm in response of mice to hexobarbital could be evaluated employing dose-response curves. Results showed a circadian change in both the position and slope of the dose-response curves when evaluated at 0800, 1400, 2000 and 0200 hours. Sleep times were longer at 0800 hours and shortest at 0200 hours, in the dark period. Greatest differences between slopes of the curves were noted when 1400 and 0200 as well as 0800 and 2000 hours were compared. Slopes were significantly flatter during the dark cycle relative to the light cycle suggesting altered rates of disposition of the drug. Measurements of in vitro hepatic metabolism of hexobarbital, p-nitro-anisole and aminopyrine at 0200 and 1400 hours demonstrated a significant rhythm in oxidative drug metabolism with maximal activity at 0200 hours. The results show that a rhythm in the duration of action of hexobarbital in mice is dose-dependent and that this rhythm is inversely related to a similar rhythm in microsomal drug metabolism. The rhythm in response to this agent may be subserved by a rhythm in drug metabolism.


Decreased toxicity of the N-methyl analogs of acetaminophen and phenacetin. The N-methyl analogs of p-hydroxyacetanilide (acetaminophen) and p-ethoxyacetanilide (phenacetin) were prepared and tested for toxicity. N-Methylacetaminophen was found to cause no hepatic necrosis in mice, rats, or hamsters in doses that caused massive hepatic necrosis in the same animals when acetaminophen was administered. Neither acetaminophen nor its N-methylated analog caused methemoglobinemia at these dose levels. Fischer rats that were administered large doses of acetaminophen (900 mg/kg s.c.) sustained necrosis in the proximal renal tubules, whereas N-methylacetaminophen caused no renal injury at higher dose levels (1800 mg/kg s.c.). N-Methylphenacetin caused no observable hepatic necrosis in 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) pretreated hamsters at dose levels higher than those in which phenacetin caused hepatic necrosis. Also, in contrast to phenacetin, N-methylphenacetin did not cause extensive methemoglobinemia in mice, rats, or hamsters.


Enhancement of melphalan therapy with glutaminase:asparaginase. Depletion of glutamine with Acinetobacter glutaminase:asparaginase promotes melphalan uptake by and cytotoxicity to murine L1210 cells in vitro. Combined treatment of tumor bearing mice with these two agents increases the therapeutic response.


DNA-synthesis in the rat thymus after focal thermolesions on abdominal organs. The changes in the DNA-synthesis of lymphocytes in the different zones of the rat thymus were autoradiographically studied with 3H-thymidine after focal thermonecroses (740 degrees C/4 sec) on abdominal organs and sham operation (laparotomy). A single thermolesion was performed in separate groups of rats on the liver and spleen, whereas a third group received multiple heat lesions (liver, kidney, stomach wall). A slight decrease of the labeling index occured during the first 36 h after the sham operation and was attributed to an unspecific stress effect leading to an increased release of corticosterones. The most remarkable and contrasting result was the observation that after thermonecroses a decrease of the labeling index of thymus-lymphocytes did not happen during the first 48 h but rather a marked increased with a maximum on the fifth day. It was concluded that the stimulated DNA-synthesis in the thymus might be related to a cell mediated immune response against thermocoagulated tissue components or to an immediate T-cell dysfunction, which is known to develop after burns. In both cases the thymus might react with an increased division and maturation of lymphocytes regulated through a feed-back mechanism.


[Oxygen consumption and body weight development of chronic uremic rats (author's transl)]. Impaired weight gain, a common feature in experimental chronic uremia, led to compare oxygen consumtion values of chronic uremic rats and their controls. Oxygen consumption measurement may allow an approach to the evaluation of total energy requirement. Three groups of animals were considered: uremic rats (CU) of less weight (402.66 +/- 9.9 g) than their control group (NA) (498.3 +/- 26.13) and younger normal animals (NJ), showing a similar weight (376.0 +/- 8.8) to that of the uremics. Significant differences in oxygen consumption values/body weight were found between group NJ (0.927 +/- 0.042 ml O2/mn/100 g rat) and both groups CU and NA (0.788 +/- 0.036 and 0.788 +/- 0.028 respectively). Proportional decrease of energetically active body mass in chronic uremic animals may be the reason of the findings.


Early atherosclerotic lesions in rat aorta. Effect of cholesterol feeding and immunization. Germ-free and conventional rats were fed cholesterol or normal pellets and part of both groups were immunized repeatedly with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Four days after the last injections all the rats were killed, aortas removed and prepared for immunocytology and chemical analysis. Free peroxidase was not detected in the arterial wall and in all immunized rats only faint staining of free anti-HRP antibodies occurred in the intima. In contrast there was a consistent deposition of HRP-anti-HRP antibody complexes in the inner two thirds of the arterial wall in all HRP-immunized animals. Immunization and cholesterol feeding increased the cholesterol content of the aorta and produced early lesions, whereas cholesterol feeding or immunization alone was less effective.


Partial purification procedure for human urinary erythropoietin by preparative isotachophoresis. Human urinary erythropoietic-active crude protein was isotachophoretic fractionated in a LKB Uniphor apparatus equipped with a plastic column using polyacrylamide as a stabilizing medium, phosphat ions as leading and glycinat ions as terminating electrolytes and Ampholine carrier ampholytes (pH: 5--7) as spacers. The exhypoxic polycythemic mouse method to assay erythropoietic activity showed that the majority of the hormon was sharply resolved. Under these conditions preparative isotachophoresis demonstrated a higher purification factor compared to other biochemical preparation-methods.


A simplified method for measurement of Ca++-activity in serum, using serum-monovettes and a Ca++-selective disk-electrode. A simplified method for the anaerobic measurement of ionized calcium in serum of venous blood by use of ion-selective electrodes--the monovette-technique--is described. For estimation of Ca++ a new electrode type--the disk-electrode (11, 12, 13, 14)--charged with a synthetic, electrically neutral Ca++-carrier of the octandioic acid-type (1), is tested.


The effect of intestinal hormones on splanchnic circulation. The influence of acidification of the duodenal contents, of intravenous secretin, cholecystokinin and pancreozym injections on hepatic (HAF) and left gastric artery (GAF) and on portal vein blood flow (PVF), bile and pancreatic juice output was studied in dogs. Acid introduction into the duodenum increased HAF and PVF by 20 and 25 percent, respectively. GAF did not change significantly. Secretin and cholecystokinin also increased PVF by 25 percent but HAF changes were less than after acidification. Pancreozym increased significantly only HAF. There were also differences between the effects of duodenal acidification and of the individual hormones on bile and pancreatic juice excretion. It is concluded, that splanchnic circulatory changes observed following duodenal acidification are not produced by the action of a single intestinal hormone but are due to the interplay of several factors.


Environmental temperature as a factor in the aetiology of fatty liver-haemorrhagic syndrome in the fowl. Unidirectional air flow isolators were used to house laying hens at 13 degrees C, 18--30 degrees C and 29 degrees C. Their diet was formulated to provide 2655 k cal metabolisable energy/kg and 142 g crude protein/kg. Groups were killed for examination at the age of 35 and 45 weeks. Sub-clinical FLHS occurred in all isolators but in the case of the younger hens appeared to be more prevalent at 29 degrees C than at 13 degrees C. Both the triglyceride and the glycogen content of the liver were higher at 29 degrees C despite a reduction in food intake. The free fatty acid level in the plasma was lower, probably as a consequence of reduced lipolysis. Liver haemorrhage was associated with an increase in plasma aspartate transaminase activity. It was concluded that an interaction between environmental temperature and the energy balance is not the only factor involved in the aetiology of FLHS and maybe of secondary importance, and that there is a pathogenic relationship between hepatic steatosis and haemorrhage.


Functional morphology of the periodontal ligament in the incisor region of the sheep. The morphology of the periodontal ligament round the sheep incisor tooth is described. Thick, undecalcified sections (100 mum) allow separation of the collagenous fibres into distinct fibre groups and these are compared to similar groups found in other animals. The relationship between the forces applied to the teeth and the distribution of the fibre groups is discussed and it is concluded that there is a functional relationship between the two.


Is Mukherjeella caprae Bandaranayake and Neitz, 1961 (Rickettsiales) a microorganism? Longitudinal structures in red cells in Giemsa-stained blood smears of goats in the Netherlands were in distinguishable from what has been described as Mukherjeella caprae Bandaranayake and Neitz, 1961 (Rickettsiales). Electron microscopic studies and animal experiments showed, however, that these structures are not parasitic in nature, but are fibres consisting of bundles of microfilaments embedded in the erythrocytic cytoplasm, apparently identical with the longitudinal fibres in goat erythrocytes which are considered to be a haemoglobin abnormality. The condition appears to be genetic. M caprae should be considered as a nomen dubium.


The role of chickens in the epidemiology of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus in Jamaica. Since 1962, when Jamaica experienced its first and only outbreak of eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), surveillance for the causative virus has been in progress. Wild birds, rodents, mosquitoes, sandflies and sentinels (domestic chickens, guinea pigs, mice and hamsters) have been constantly examined for EEE virus and serological conversion. In essence, only negative results have been obtained. Since June 1976, domestic chickens have been investigated as a possible reservoir and several have been found to have haemagglutinating antibodies, with titres ranging from 1:10 to 1:160. These titres fell rapidly, eg, from 1:160 to 1:10 within 60 days. These results incriminate the domestic fowl as a major reservoir for the virus, and suggest that the life of immunoglobulins against EEE is short in birds. Thus, the large number of negative serological tests found in previous investigations might be misleading since positive sera might have been missed between intervals of capture and recapture of the birds. The results indicate that investigators could usefully modify their procedure by bleeding wild birds as early as one to two weeks after initial capture. The importance and duration of the dominant avian anti-EEE virus immunoglobulins should be investigated.


Newcastle disease virus surveillance in Hong Kong on local and imported poultry. Surveillance of apparently healthy ducks, geese and fowl originating in Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China at a poultry dressing plant in Hong Kong yielded 67 isolates of Newcastle disease virus. More than twice as many viruses were isolated from the cloaca than from the trachea. Twelve representative isolates were examined in virulence tests--all six of the fowl isolates and two of five duck isolates behaved as velogenic strains, the other four were lentogenic.


Comparison of the effect of drugs on Babesia in vitro and in vivo. It was previously shown that Babesia-infected blood maintained in vitro incorporated high levels of 3H hypoxanthine and that the uptake could be suppressed by babesicidal drugs. In the current paper the hypoxanthine pathway was shown to be the most sensitive in testing such drugs for activity in vitro. Other pathways involving orotic acid, glutamine or thymidine were less sensitive. The highest counts were achieved when 3H hypoxanthine was added 1 h after cultures were set up. Drugs which had previously shown activity against Babesia in vitro were added to cultures of B rodhaini and after 24 h incubation parasitised cells were inoculated into groups of mice. Known babesicidal drugs suppressed or delayed infection in mice and 3H hypoxanthine analogues also showed some activity. These analogues, however, showed no therapeutic properties when injected into B rodhaini infected mice.


In vivo changes in the composition of cattle skin surface lipid with time. The skin surface lipid composition was examined in cattle over a period of 13 days after cleaning the skin at 15 degrees C and 35 degrees C. Little change was observed in the concentrations and fatty acid compositions of all the major sebum fractions other than the unesterified fatty acids. Changes which occurred in the proportions of fatty acids present in the unesterified fatty acid fraction were similar at both environments. At 15 degrees C the total amounts per unit area of unesterified fatty acids on the skin did not alter significantly with time. However, at 35 degrees C there was a significant increase in the total amounts of unesterified fatty acids per unit area and concomitant increases in the amounts of individual fatty acids, in particular linoleic acid.


Identification of Echinococcus granulosus strains by enzyme electrophoresis. Hydatid cysts were collected from camels, horses, oxen and sheep in various geographical locations. Extracts from them were compared for electrophoretic forms of glucose phosphate isomerase. All horse cyst extracts had identical zymogram patterns. These differed markedly in mobility from those of cattle and sheep cysts, all of which were identical to one another. Extracts from camels were compared indirectly and may show a third type of pattern.


Efficacy of thiophanate and thiabendazole against inhibited trichostrongylid larvae in sheep. In a trial with natural infections of trichostrongyles in sheep, thiophanate and thiabendazole at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg bodyweight were highly effective in removing all stages of development of the helminths including the inhibited stages. At 50 mg/kg bodyweight however, both drugs were only capable of reducing helminth load.


The growth of akabane virus in chicken embryos. Akabane virus produced either death or developmental abnormalities including arthrogryposis in chicken embryos inoculated by the yolk sac route when four days old. The effects depended on the dose of virus. Yolk sac inoculation of seven-day-old embryos did not result in abnormal embryos, but some chickens were viraemic when they hatched. Inoculation of older embryos intravenously, into the allantoic cavity, or onto the chorioallantoic membrane had no effect on the embryo and akabane virus was not recovered.


Changes in the concentration of copper in serum of sheep during halothane anaesthesia. Concentrations of serum copper and caeruloplasmin were measured in jugular blood samples of sheep before, during and after halothane anaesthesia. Significant decreases were recorded in the concentration of serum copper during anaesthesia, but caeruloplasmin activity did not change significantly. The serum copper concentration increased when the sheep were allowed to recover, and returned to pre-anaesthetic values after 3 h.


[Clinical anatomical study of a case of amnesic encephalitis of herpetic origin (author's transl)]. A report on a case of herpes encephalitis in a patient of particularly high intellectual level who was kept under observation for a period of 13 years. Anatomical examination of the brain demonstrated massive bilateral destruction of the limbic system. Having studied the higher functions of this patient for many months it was possible to establish interesting correlations relating to the role of the limbic system. It appears to be indispensable for the utilization of verbal, praxognosic, and conceptual information. Though this is still retained in the intact neocortex, mobilization of the information is possible only when stimuli arise from the exterior and for as long as they last. Spontaneous evocation of this data is, in fact, impossible, as is the stocking of new information. The limbic system, therefore, while not being the site of retention of memorised informations which is the role of the neocortex, appears to be a logic system. Which is indispensable for proper functioning of the memory machine.


[Emergency disobliteration of the carotid prepolygonal segment. Personal experience of 76 cases]. The authors report 76 cases of carotid obstruction, mainly localized at the origin of the carotid artery, that have been operated upon in emergency. Two types of lesions are considered: occlusion and very tight stenosis. The principle of early surgery in cases of acute occlusion is very controverse. According to the facts reported (38 cases) results are rewarding when operative decision is taken under precise conditions judged as favorable: short lapse of time since occlusive onset, absence of intracranial hypertension, absence of comatose state and no sign of brain oedema. Some patients under go surgery in the priviledged condition of being already in a medico-surgical unit (post operative, post angiographic, embolic occlusions). Majority present the most common hemiplegic attack. However difficulty resides in the inefficient mode of transport to hospital and lack of highly specialized units on admission. A very tight stenosis (at extreme a pseudo-occlusive stenosis) with clinical recurrent deficit, modified Loppler's recording and hemodynamic repercussion at angiography is an operative emergency. When results of early surgery on 38 cases of stenosis are compared to those of late operation in 14 similar cases early decision becomes compulsory once tight stenosis of the carotid artery is identified and operative criteria respected. In the light of this report that "wait and see attitude" needs be somewhat revised when confronted to the dramatic ictal hemiplegia.


[A case of nemaline myopathy studied over a period of nine years (author's transl)]. We report a case of a boy of 13 who was born with muscular hypotony which has tended to improve over the course of the years. We was examined for the first time when he was 4 years old and a diagnosis was made of "congenital myopathy". Examination showed curved feet, gothie palate, severe laxity of the ligaments, and spider fingers which evoked Marfan's syndrome. The present myopathy is concentrated in the shoulder girdle and the E.M.G. showed "myogenic" tracings. Biopsy of the deltoid showed the presence of large numbers of rods in all muscle fibers stained with Engel's modified trichromic stain, localized mainly under the sarcolemma. Histochemical staining showed no evidence of differences in the fibers, all of which had the same enzymatic activity. A diagnosis was made of nemaline myopathy. As we were able to follow clinical progress in this case for nine consecutive years we could confirm that not only was the disease non-progressive but that it was regressing in this patient.


[Acute hemorrhagic leucoencephalitis during tuberculosis (author's transl)]. The authors report a fairly typical clinico-pathological case of acute hemorragic leucoencephalitis (A.H.L.E.). Both clinical and histological features appeared particularly acute. At autopsy a visceral evolving tuberculosis was diagnosed. Such an etiological circumstance has not been, apparently, reported in cases of A.H.L.E. published as such. Three other etiological circumstances were noticed: pyuria, treatment by cephalotin and treatment by gentamycine. The physiopathogenesis of A.H.L.E. remains obscure and will not be clarified before detailed immunological studies can be performed. But the disease is rare and brisk and diagnosis usually post-mortem.


[Long-term prognostic factors in Parkinson's disease (author's transl)]. Acturial methods are used to study the correlation between the initial condition and early therapeutic results, and the present condition of 164 parkinsonian patients treated with L. dopa for 4 to 8 years. There is an ineluctable deterioration in motility. There is a lower risk in patients who are autonomous and only slightly akinetic at the beginning of treatment. Intellectual deterioration is seen in some patients only. The risk factors are: males, the clinical forms of Parkinson's disease in which tremor is not predominant, onset of the disease before 60 years of age, and depression and transitory psychotic disorders during the first year of treatment. This deterioration appears 3 to 5 years after starting dopatherapy, which could be the cause. Life expectancy is still reduced by the disease at the present time. It is longer in patients in whom the disease started with isolated tremors, absence of Babinski's sign, and no loss of autonomy, and those in whom a good initial therapeutic result was obtained.


[Recording of human eye movements in cases of unilateral lesions of the paramedian pontine reticular formation (author's transl)]. Clinical observation of two cases with a particular type of Foville's syndrome appears to confirm physiological data from many experimental studies on the paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF). The nature of the oculomotor syndrome, which was confirmed by electrooculographic recordings, together with the analysis of pathognomonic features, suggested the existence of limited unilateral pontine lesions involving the formation. Rather than relying on subtle differences in ocular reflex signs it should be noted that each PPRF produces all homolateral saccades and controls pursuit eye movements in both directions, though only in the homolateral hemifield of eye movements.


Ketoprofen experiences.

Ketoprofen experiences. Ketoprofen is better tolerated than the other most common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Cross-reactivity in the form of allergic reactions appears almost non-existent. The G.I. symptoms are less pronounced with ketoprofen than with the other drugs tested so far.


Some physical data about passive anterior rhinomanometry (P.A.R.). The authors studied the physical data of the passive anterior rhinomanometry (P.A.R). The values obtained from thirty normal test subjects made it possible to make a statistical analysis (ANOVA) of the different variables involved with the P.A.R. By measuring "delta p" with successively changing flows, it was possible to determine that the airstream was mainly laminar.


Surgical approaches to abnormalities of the nasal valve. A systematic surgical approach to nasal valve abnormalities depends on adequate and precise exposure of the abnormality to be corrected and is facilitated by the use of magnification. Small anatomic disturbances in the region of the nasal valve can produce significant airway obstruction by narrowing the nasal valve angle. Normally, this angle between the caudal end of the upper lateral cartilage and the nasal septum is from 10 to 15 degree. In all patients with nasal airway obstruction, a meticulous clinical evaluation of the nasal valve is required. Nasal valve abnormalities can produce symptoms due to an already increased collapsibility of the nasal valve; therefore surgical intervention is directed toward reconstruction of normal anatomic relationships, usually by widening the nasal valve angle and preventing either extreme of rigidity or collapsibility. Appropriate and delicate handling of the intercartilaginous aponeurosis between the upper lateral (roof) cartilage and the lower lateral (lobular or alar) cartilage with prevention of excessive scar tissue formation usually can be achieved by dissection on the upper lateral cartilage. The surgical plane is beneath the overlying musculature and neurovascular layers. By preserving the mucocutaneous lining and by accurate suturing of incisions, primary wound healing is facilitated. Clinical experience suggest that the application of these concepts benefits patients by preventing or treating abnormalities of the nasal valve. Eventually, longterm results with preoperative and postoperative physiologic testing (rhinomanometry), coupled with critical clinical re-evaluation, should allow adoption, rejection, or, more likely, modification of the principles offered by this contribution.


[Criteria in plain radiograms for the diagnostic valuation of pulmonary hemodynamics in mitral valve disease (author's transl)]. Changes in the heart and lungs in patients with organic mitral valve disease, which can be demonstrated on plain radiographs, were correlated to pulmonary pressure. The most important radiologic criteria were: the extent of dilatation of the out flow tract of the right ventricle, enlargement of the left and the right pulmonary artery, the degree of interstitial pulmonary edema, enlargement of left atrium and calcification of mitral valve. With a point valuation of the criteria a prediction of pulmonary hypertension in mitral valve disease from plain radiographs is possible.


[Transarferial xero-arteriography--an alternative method in conventional angiography of the extremities (author's transl)]. The technique of transarterial xeroarteriography and its results are presented. The range of indication of transarterial xero-arteriography is the demonstration of localised vascular sections of the arteries of the extremities. The advantages are, above all, the simple and less hazardous examination technique, the possibility of examination on an outpatient basis, examination despite anticoagulant therapy, and especially of examining bedridden patients eg in the ward. Drawbacks are: The limited format of the xerox cassettes, the relative sensitivity of the cassettes, and extinction phenomena occurring during the xeroradiography.


[Index of brain volume and space occupied by the CSF--A parameter for the diagnosis of hydrocephalus via computerised tomography (author's transl)]. Cranial computerised tomography allows to calculate, from the volume elements of all layers, the volume of the brain and of the outer and inner spaces occupied by the cerebrospinal fluid. The ratio between the volume of the brain and of the spaces occupied by the CSF is represented by an index figure known as brain--liquor space index. Success of therapy is objectivated by a change of the index as determined by control examinations.


[The importance of the intervertebral disk in the differential diagnosis of traumatic, inflammatory and congenital spondylopathies (author's transl)]. A review of the pathology of the intervertebral disk from the differential diagnostic angle could be neither systematic nor at all comprehensive, and had to be necessarily selective. The total relevant knowledge, without being restricted to differential diagnosis, is contained in far more than 5,000 individual publications. I hope that the few facts presented here will convey an idea of the dimensions, and that the selection will be found interesting.


[Infusion urography with joxitalmat comparative study with different infusion solutions (author's transl)]. In a total of 157 patients, comparative infusion urography was conducted using different concentrations of the same infusion substance Joxitalmat (Telebrix). No fatal or severe side effects caused by the contrast medium were seen. Infusion of the 66% contrast medium solution C produced mild side effects in 9% of the patients, whereas 4% resp. 2% side effects occurred with the solutions A (39.7%) and B (36.6%). Hence, solutions A and B appear to be more appropriate for clinical diagnostics, the diagnostic value being approximately the same for all three solutions under investigation.


[Pseudotumours of the stomach. X-ray and endoscopic correlations (author's transl)]. 15 patients urgently suspected of gastric cancer on account of clinical and x-ray findings were subjected to preoperative gastroscopy. In all cases, a malignant gastric tumour could be excluded via gastroscopy with biopsy. However, in one remarkable case the clinical and x-ray findings had been so typical of a malignant tumour, that surgery was performed despite negative gastroscopy and biopsy. No tumour was found. The x-ray findings were correlated with those of endoscopy. Three patients had hiatal hernia (in one case combined with varices of the fundus of the stomach) and in one case each large and irregular plication was normal in seven cases. The results are discussed on the basis of the findings and relevant literature. It is concluded from this study that routine preoperative gastroscopy with biopsy is mandatory in clinical and x-ray suspicion of gastric cancer, since it may result in avoidance of surgery in some patients.


[Enema of the small intestine, or enteroclysm according to sellink (author's transl)]. When performing the enteroclysm according to Sellink, the barium suspension and subsequently water or air is infused, respectively insufflated, directly into the intestine by means of a Bilbo-Dotter tube. This method allows good morphological diagnosis.


[Roentgen examination of the operated small bowel (author's transl)]. After operations on the small bowel roentgenology shall help in the diagnosis of complications (suture insufficiency, peritonitis, hemorrhage, ileus), shall analyse the modified function and shall identify reappearing tumors or Crohn's disease. Watersoluble jodated substances are preferable during the first days. Later barium suspensions permit to obtain pictures of good quality. Middle and lower segments of the small bowl are best analysed with duodenal intubation. Pneumocolon gives often the best results in controlling ileocolic anastomosis.


[Allergy to patent blue: lymphangiography with dye (author's transl)]. Report on more than 3000 cases of lymphangiography with Patent Blue. There were no complications. The causes of the different rates of complications in the literature are discussed.


[Evolution of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with immunosuppressive agents between 1965 and 1973]. The authors report the results of a study of 139 of their patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis, treated with chlorambucil of cyclophosphamide between 1965 and December 1973, with an observation period of 4 to 12 years. 8 patients were lost to follow-up, 38 died and 93 were reexamined. In this series 7 deaths were attributed to hemolymphoreticulopathy of various cytological types; 6 deaths were due to visceral cancer and 2 others to cancer of the tonsils. They confirm that such treatments increase the risk of hemopathy but apparently not the risk of visceral cancer. The risk was not a function of the total dose of the drug administered since no neoplasia was observed in the 25 subjects who received the highest doses. The addition of chlorambucil to cyclophosphamide seems to increase the risk of hemopathy. It was noticed that the 7 cases of hemolymphoreticulopathy occured after 60 years.


[Multifocal tuberculous osteoarthritis and synovitis. 10 cases]. Synovial or osteo-articular tuberculosis is multifocal in about 10 percent of cases. Here, this form strikes older people and quite frequently the patients receive corticotherapy because of confusion with rheumatism. This premature treatment delays the diagnosis and at the same time favors the spreading of the germ. The 10 patients observed in this study had an average of 3 focuses simultaneously, the sites most often involved being the synovialis of the flexors of the fingers, the discovertebral articulations, the knee and the tibiotarsalis. The diagnosis is based on the presence of fistula (4 times out of 10), x-ray of the lungs (4 miliaries and 1 infiltrate), films of the spine (characteristic images of Pott, 6 times), the bacteriological study (recovery of Koch bacillus 3 times upon direct examination and 6 times after culture) and finally the biopsy of the synovialis (specific synovitis 3 times out of 4 biopsies). Antituberculosis treatment often involved tolerance problems. It helped to cure 7 patients with few sequelae on the whole. The 3 other patients died either because of old age or complications due to corticosteroids.


[Sesamoid pathology of the 1st metatarsal bone]. The sesamoid region constitutes an "anatomo-clinical entity" because the small sesamoid bones and the tendino-sero-cutaneous formations which surround them are in close association. Subjected to various microtraumatisms, (professional, sports or static), it expresses its pathology through a painful sesamoid point, a localized tumefaction that is more or less ifnlammatory (sometimes with a pseudo-gout aspect) or a painful corn that disturbs walking. The observation of radiologic alterations of the sesamoid bones results in the discussion of osteonecrosis (Renander's disease) or a fracture. This region may also be the site of a specific micro-cristalline inflammation (with deposit of various crystals) or a rheumatic (mainly rheumatoid, sometimes psioriatic or spondylarthritic) responsible for sesamoid alterations of variable intensity. I can also be involved in an infectious process that is either acute or chronic (fistulization). The sesamoid region has a rich pathology, that is often poorly understood since it is inadequately investigated.


[Injection of the sacrolumbar roots: a complementary method of staging sciatica. 18 cases]. The injection of the sacrolumbar roots allows, in the first place, the root to be made opaque in order to determine its morphology and, in the second place and above all, causes the disappearance of the radicular pain after injection of a local anesthetic, which helps the degree of sciatica to be identified. This method, which should be limited to exceptional cases, seems to be useful in patients who have undergone lumbar surgery and for whom the interpretation of contrast x-ray exams poses a particularly delicate problem. It can also be advisable when these exams are not conclusive or when the results do not coincide with the clinical data. Since March, 1974, 18 patients have undergone this exam. In 14 cases the disappearance of the radicular syndrome, after injection of xylocain close to the root, has allowed the root in question to be identified. In 3 cases radicular injection has practically made it possible to rule out an organic lesion. This exam had no side effect and was always tolerated even by two patients allergic to iodine.


[Study of 70 cases of rheumatoid polyarthritis treated by pyrithioxin with a 1-year follow-up]. The authors present their own series of 70 rheumatoidpolyarthritis cases treated with pyrithioxine during one year or more except in the case of failure or intolerance. The following results were observed after one year: 54 percent showed positive results, 34 percent showed no results or dubious ones, and there was 13 percent of discontinuance because of intolerance. Modifications of the posology and methods of administering are proposed, and the role of pyrithioxine, as a basic treatment for rheumatoid polyarthritis, is discussed.


[Etiologic diagnosis of hypercalcemia. A study of 100 cases]. On the basis of 100 cases of hypercalcemia, the authors attempt to elucidate the criteria of the etiologic diagnosis. Kidney lithiasis or nephrocalcinosis suggested a primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT I) or an intoxication due to vitamin D. X rays of the skeleton and quantitative histological exams of the bone were not useful in the diagnosis of HPT I. The level of parathormone in the plasma is the best parameter to be used in distinguishing HPT I from other diseases. In the absence of renal insufficiency or severe intestinal disorders, a phospharemia below 2.6 mg/100 ml, a chloremia above 103 m EG/l and bicarbonates below 25 m Eg/l indicate an HPT I or a paraneoplasic. A phosphoremia above 3.2 mg/100 ml runs counter to this diagnosis. The chloremia/phosphoremia ratio is not more helpful than the phosphoremia alone.


[Vasomotor polyarthralgia].

[Vasomotor polyarthralgia]. The authors report 11 observations of middle-age women seeking medical treatment for polyarthralgia most often involving the hands and often several articulations of legs and arms, with pain sometimes increasing during the night and frequently accompanied by a feeling of stiffness in the morning. The clinical, biological, and radiological studies did not disclose any organic disease except for vasomotor disorders of the Raynaud's disease type, acrocyanosis, acrorigor and clubbed fingers. Therapy with vasodilator isoxsuprine caused the disappearance or the diminution of the pain in 10 out of 11 cases. The authors suggest that these polyarthralgia are the consequence of arterioloconstriction which is a disturbance common to all the vasomotor disorders observed in their 11 patients.


Long-term observation of subjects with normal mucosa and with superficial gastritis: results of 23--27 years' follow-up examinations. 261 subjects with a normal body mucosa or with superficial gastritis used as controls for an atrophic gastritis series have been followed up for 23--27 years. Of them, 41 died during the earlier and 63 during the present follow-up period. In all, 141 subjects were reexamined in 1976--1977 and 16 answered a questionnaire. None of the subjects had gastric carcinoma or an adenomatous polyp. One patient diagnosed and reported earlier had died of gastric carcinoma during the present period of observation. Of the subjects with normal body mucosa 58% had developed superficial and 14% atrophic gastritis. Of those with superficial body gastritis 42% had developed atrophic gastritis and 18% showed an improvement of the gastritic changes. It should be noted, however, that earlier examinations were performed with blind biopsy and the present with direct vision gastroscopic biopsy. The state of the antral and body mucosa was similar in 53%, antral changes dominated in 33% and the changes in the body in 14%. Intestinal metaplasia was found in 36%, atypical epithelium in 6%, parietal cell antibodies in 0.5% and intrinsic factor antibodies in 0.5%. The fasting serum gastrin level was above 100 ng/ml in 10%. Only 2 cases fulfilled the morphological, functional and immunological criteria of type A gastritis. The present controls differed from the atrophic gastritis series in that the topography of gastritis was different and in that the incidence of metaplasia, atypia, gastric antibodies and high serum gastrin levels was markedly lower.


A comparative evaluation of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography and secretin-CCK test in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) and secretin-CCK test for the diagnosis of pancreatic disease. The bicarbonate output after the secretin stimulation was low in 26 out of 30 patients (87%) with pancreatitis, whereas ERP revealed an abnormal duct in 21 (70%) of these patients. In all 7 patients with pancreatic carcinoma, ERP showed major abnormalities, whereas the bicarbonate output was reduced only in four of them. Thus, the secretin test appears to be at least as efficient as the ERP in disclosing pancreatitis. On the other hand, ERP seems to be a more reliable method for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.


Effect of vasopressin on blood flow distribution in the stomach of cats with gastric ulcer. An ulcer was induced in the anterior wall of the antrum by local injection of acetic acid solution. Carbonized microspheres 15 +/- 5 micrometer in diameter, labeled with 85Sr and 141Ce, were used to measure blood flow in different regions and layers of the stomach wall, and in each sample the mucosa was separated from the muscularis. The radioactivity of a blood reference sample and the tissue sample was determined, and the blood flow was calculated for each tissue sample. Two groups of anesthetized animals were used: animals with normal stomachs given vasopressin and animals with a 1-week ulcer given vasopressin. The vasopressin was administered intravenously over a 20-min period. In animals with normal stomachs and in animals with a gastric ulcer vasopressin was found to decrease the blood flow to the stomach in all areas examined. The presence of a 1-week ulcer in the cat did not seem to influence the effect of vasopressin.


Interactions of cholecystokinin (CCK-PZ) and gastrin on motor activity of isolated guinea-pig antrum and fundus. Pressure responses to cholecystokinin (CCK-PZ, approximately 500 U/mg) and gastrin (human synthetic gastrin) were investigated in isolated guinea-pig antral and fundal pouches. Both drugs stimulated motor activity, in the antrum mainly by increasing amplitudes and rhythmic activity, in the fundus by increasing basal tension. Antral responses to gastrin were markedly smaller than to CCK-PZ, while the differences were less pronounced in the fundus. Prestimulation with gastrin, being an agonist by itself, significantly reduced the antral responses to submaximal doses of CCK-PZ, while no inhibition was found in the fundus. When pre-exposed to gastrin, the antral dose-response curve to CCK-PZ was flattened, with reduced maximal response, simulating a non-competitive interaction. It seems that gastrin behaves like a partial agonist to CCK-PZ on guinea-pig antral smooth muscle.


Inhibition of meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion in man by exogenous and endogenous pancreatic glucagon. The effect of intravenous infusion of glucagon (300 ng x kg(-1) x h(-1)), 1-arginine (0.6 g x kg(-1) x h(-1)) and of saline on meal-stimulated gastric acid secretion was studied in six healthy volunteers. Infusion of glucagon and 1-arginine enhanced plasma concentrations of pancreatic glucagon to 65--85 pmol/l, a level similar to that seen after a normal protein-rich meal. Both infusions significantly inhibited the acid response to the meal, most pronounced after 1-arginine. The difference in acid inhibition could not be ascribed either to differences in plasma glucagon concentrations or to differences in serum gastrin concentrations. The study supports the concept that pancreatic glucagon is a physiological inhibitor of gastric acid secretion.


The measurement of resting and stimulated lower esophageal sphincter pressure using the rapid pull-through technique of esophageal manometry. The value of the rapid pull-through technique of esophageal manometry for the measurement of lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), in the diagnosis of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux, has been investigated. The technique provides reproducible measurements of LESP in individual subjects during the period of a single recording study. It does not discriminate between normal subjects and patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux in measurements of basal LESP or in measurements of the LESP response to abdominal compression and the cholinergic drugs bethanechol and metoclopramide. The findings of the study suggest that the rapid pull-through technique will not prove helpful in the diagnosis of symptomatic reflux.


Radioimmunoassay of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in plasma. A sensitive, precise, and specific radioimmunoassay for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is described, with a detection limit of 0.8 pmol/l, within assay precision of 7.8%, and between assay precision of 13.1%. The final dilution of the antiserum to bind 50% of 0.9 fmol 125I-labeled VIP was 1:250000. The antiserum showed an effective equilibrium constant (Keff) according to Scatchard of 7.4 x 1011 l/mol, an average equilibrium constant (Ko) according to Sips of 7.3 x 1011 l/mol, an index of heterogeneity (alpha) according to Sips of 0.99, and a negligible cross-reactivity with secretin. 125I-labeled VIP was prepared by a modified Chloramine-T method, and the label purified on a Sephadex G-15 column followed by a SP Sephadex C-25 column had a specific radioactivity of 1700 muCi/nmol. The present assay allows measurements of fasting plasma VIP in the very low pmol/l range and the increase and gradual fall in plasma VIP subsequent to a brief period of duodenal acidification.


The effect of HCl infusion in the lower part of the oesophagus on the pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter pressure in normal subjects. A measuring unit combined with a perfused catheter has been developed for measurement of the pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter pressure. The system is able to register pressure measurements using either intermittent or continuous withdrawal of the catheter, at the same flow rate (0.5 ml/min). Repeated measurements of pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter pressure have been made on eight healthy volunteers. No differences were found in the sphincter pressures measured by the continuous and the intermittent withdrawal techniques (p greater than 0.10); the coefficient of variation was 0.18 for both techniques. The pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter pressure was measured during infusion of 0.1 N HCl (5 ml/min) 5 cm proximally to the gastro-oesophageal sphincter. There was an increase in the pharyngo-oesophageal sphincter pressure after 1 min of infusion (p less than 0.05). Measurements after 5 min and 10 min were no different from the initial value; thus a fall was observed between the first and the fifth minute (p less than 0.05). The observed rise in sphincter pressure may be explained as a response acting to prevent gastro-oesophageal reflux from entering the pharynx.


Fasting and food-stimulated serum gastrin concentrations in relation to the antral G-cell population. A study in patients with peptic ulcer disease. The fasting serum concentration and the first-hour serum gastric response to a protein-rich meal were related to the antral G-cell population in 14 patients with peptic ulcer. They were divided into a uremic (n=5) and non-uremic group (n=9). Fasting serum gastrin correlated significantly with the total antral G-cell mass only in the non-uremic patients who showed a relatively narrow transitional body-antrum zone. Conversely, the integrated serum gastric response was inversely related to the size of this zone in both groups of patients. A presumptive endocrine G-cell mass was estimated by subtracting the G cells in the transitional zone from the total antral G-cell population. Total gastrin output correlated positively with this estimated mass in the non-uremic group and in the material as a whole. Also, the integrated gastrin response was positively correlated with the presumptive endocrine G-cell mass in the whole material. It was concluded that G cells in the transitional body-antrum zone, where also parietal cells are present, do not release gastrin into the circulation during meal stimulation like G cells in the remaining part of the pyloric antrum. On the basis of these results and our previous morphological observations (19), we propose that the G cells in the transitional zone are involved in a paracrine interrelationship with the surrounding parietal cells rather than contributing to the circulating pool of gastrin.


Mechanisms affecting lower oesophageal sphincter opening and oesophageal retention. A combined X-ray and manometry study. Using simultaneous manometry and cineradiography, oesophageal evacuation was studied while contrast medium was infused via a catheter. The distal half of the oesophagus could be filled with contrast medium without triggering peristalsis. The hydrostatic pressure necessary to open the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) was of approximately the same magnitude as the pressure gradient between oesophagus and LES. No significant relaxation of the LES could be observed at the initiation of swallowing. The LES may be looked upon not only as a sphincter preventing reflux but also as a gate which must be forced open by food.


Xylocaine treatment in experimental pancreatitis in pigs. Experimental haemorrhagic pancreatitis was induced in 12 piglets by infusing Nataurocholate trypsin into the pancreatic duct with simultaneous intravenous secretin stimulation. Within some minutes after the infusion all animals developed severe pancreatitis accompanied by the production of bloody ascites. Unless given specific treatment the pigs died within 24 h. Of the animals treated with xylocaine infusion (50 microgram/kg/min for 24 h) one died within 24 h, one during the second day, and four lived for over a week, at which time they were killed. Although xylocaine treatment signficantly improved the survival of the animals, it did not seem to influence the local damage of the pancreatic tissue. Xylocaine has been shown to inhibit phospholipase-A in vitro. It is possible that xylocaine also acts in vivo by inhibiting phospholipase-A, thus preventing lethal tissue damages at an early stage of pancreatitis.


Comparison of gamma camera and withdrawal methods for the measurement of gastric emptying. In ten healthy volunteers the emptying of 300ml 15% glucose solution from the stomach was determined with two independent methods; a gamma camera method using 99mTc-DTPA as indicator and a withdrawal method, modified after Hunt, with PEG as indicator. At 40 min the gastric contents were withdrawn, and the stomach washed out. The quantity of indicator in the withdrawal and washout fluids was determined with both methods. A close correspondence was found between the methods.


The epidemiological pattern of hepatitis A, B, and non-A, non-B in Sweden. In a clinical series of 148 patients with acute hepatitis, serological analysis of hepatitis A and hepatitis B markers revealed 16% of the cases as hepatitis type non-A, non-b. Hepatitis A was diagnosed in 27% of the patients with drug addicts as the predominating category, while serological evidence of hepatitis B infection was found in 57%, again with drug addicts in the majority. Drug addicts also predominated among the non-A, non-B cases, and possibly this category of patients is today the main reservoir not only of hepatitis B but also of hepatitis A and non-A, non-B.


Gastroesophageal sphincter pressure and serum gastrin: reaction to food stimulation in normal subjects and in patients with gastric or duodenal ulcer. Gastroesophageal sphincter pressure and serum gastrin concentration were determined in the fasting state and after the intake of a protein food in 6 normal subjects, 6 patients with gastric ulcer, and in 6 patients with duodenal ulcer. No significant differences in the fasting state were found. After the food intake, gastroesophageal sphincter pressure increased significantly over basal values in normals and in patients with duodenal ulcer, but in patients with gastric ulcer a decrease in pressure was noted. Serum gastrin rose in all subjects studied after the food stimulation, but it was significant only in the gastric and duodenal ulcer group. In two normals and two patients with duodenal ulcer the ingestion of a potato meal of similar weight to that of the protein meal showed no change either in serum gastrin or in sphincter pressure. In one additional normal subject and one duodenal ulcer patient the constant intravenous infusion of Aminosol for 2 h produced no change in serum gastrin or sphincter pressure. These results indicate that the effect of protein food on sphincter pressure is different for gastric or duodenal ulcers, and, furthermore, that this effect is mediated by proteins in the gastrointestinal tract.


Gastroesophageal sphincter pressure and serum gastrin studies following food intake before and after vagotomy for duodenal ulcer. Gastroesophageal sphincter pressure (GESP) and serum gastrin concentration (SGC) were determined in the basal state and after a protein meal in six patients with duodenal ulcer (DU), six patients after parietal cell vagotomy (PCV), six patients after selective gastric vagotomy plus drainage (SGV + D), and six patients after selective gastric vagotomy plus precise antrectomy (SGV + A). No correlation in the resting state between GESP and SGC was observed. After food ingestion, DU patients showed a sustained rise in GESP which lasted up to the end of the experiment. The vagotomized patients, however, showed no rise in sphincter pressure after food intake--rather a tendency to a decrease in pressure occurred. On the contrary, SGC rose significantly after food ingestion in patients with SGV + D or PCV, while in DU patients this rise was less significant. Patients with vagotomy and antrectomy showed no rise in SGC. These results do not suggest that SGC and extrinsic vagal innervation in the resting state play a significant role in the maintenance of the tone of GES. After food ingestion an interaction may occur between intact vagal innervation and rise in SGC in order to obtain an adequate rise in GESP.


Intestinal bypass. Experimental study on the influence of the excluded intestinal segment. Five groups of operated rats with 10% of the small intestine in continuity were studied. In one group the animals were subjected to 90% resection of the small intestine, and in the other groups a 90% jejuno-ileal bypass was performed. In two of the latter groups different lengths of the excluded intestinal segment was resected. The bypassed segment was anastomosed to the colon in three of the groups and to the skin as an ileostomy in one group. There were no differences in haemoglobin concentration, liver function parameters or fat absorption between the five groups, but measurements of body weight seem to indicate that the bypassed intestinal segment exerts a general harmful effect on the rats. This effect is more pronounced when the excluded segment is long, and the effect seems to be the same whether it is connected to the colon or to the skin. The mechanism for this effect is not fully ascertained.


The vagogastrone mechanism in man.

The vagogastrone mechanism in man. From experiments on the dog evidence has accumulated of vagal release of a candidate hormone inhibiting gastric acid secretion--vagogastrone. The nature and origin of vagogastrone are uncertain. The inhibitory effect of vagogastrone is characteristically exerted against gastrin-stimulated acid secretion from the vagally denervated parietal cell area. In the present study vagal activation by sham feeding significantly inhibited the submaximal acid response to continuous i.v. infusion of pentagastrin in seven duodenal ulcer patients previously subjected to proximal gastric vagotomy. The inhibitory effect was slight--16% reduction--and of short duration. Sham feeding had no effect on the pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion in six subjects with an intact stomach. The results favour the existence of a vagogastrone mechanism in man, but the inhibitory effect seems to be of quantitatively minor importance, at least in the duodenal ulcer patient.


Small-bowel adaptation after colectomy in rats. Colectomy with ileoproctostomy or ileostomy was performed in rats. The animals were killed at different time intervals after operation. In histological sections from the small intestine the total crypt cell number and vinblastine-arrested mitoses were counted, and the villus height was measured; these parameters were compared with the corresponding ones in unoperated controls and in rats subjected to ileal transection. After ileoproctostomy the rats remained in good condition, whereas ileostomy was followed by weight loss, debility and a great mortality. After ileoproctostomy, ileostomy and ileal transection there was an increased number of mitoses in the crypts during the 28 days' observation period, indicating an increased rate of cell proliferation. Increased villus height was observed after ileoproctostomy as well as after ileostomy. The mucosal hyperplasia may play a role for the increase in water and salt absorption capacity after colectomy. Probably, however, the hyperplasia of the small-intestinal mucosa cannot fully compensate for the loss of the colon in rats. Preservation of the absorptive function of the rectum, as in ileoproctostomy, is necessary for adequate water and salt absorption.


A comparison of glucagon, gastric inhibitory peptide, and secretin on gallbladder function, formation of bile, and pancreatic secretion in the cat. The effects of glucagon, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), and secretin on the concentrating mechanism and the motility in the feline gallbladder have been studied in vivo. A technique by which the gallbladder in situ was perfused by an electrolyte solution made possible a simultaneous study of the motility and of the net transport of water and electrolytes across the gallbladder wall. Secretin (0.6 microgram per kg/h) was found to abolish the net absorption of water, Na+, and HCO3- and strongly reduce the net absorption of K+ and Cl-, whereas neither glucagon (1--20 microgram per kg/h) nor GIP (1--30 microgram per kg/h) was found to significantly influence the concentrating function of the gallbladder. The motility of the gallbladder was not influenced by the peptides. The formation of bile and pancreatic secretion was not changed by glucagon or GIP, whereas secretin had a potent effect.


The secretin-CCK test and a modified Lundh test. A comparative study. A comparison has been made between a modified Lundh test and the secretin-CCK test. Thirty-four patients with pancreatic disease (chronic pancreatitis, n = 25; recurrent pancreatitis, n = 5; and pancreatic carcinoma, n = 4) and 20 patients with other gastrointestinal disorders were studied. The results showed that estimation of trypsin secretion, irrespective of the mode of stimulation, had a low sensitivity in detecting pancreatic disease. Estimation of bicarbonate secretion after secretin stimulation provided a more sensitive test, especially for disclosing chronic pancreatitis.


Infusion cholecystography--an aid in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Early operation of patients with acute cholecystitis is nowadays accepted as the treatment of choice. One prerequisite for this policy is, however, the availability of diagnostic procedures that can rapidly secure or, even more important, exclude the diagnosis to avoid unnecessary operations. Infusion cholecystography was here shown to be an accurate method giving decisive information in patients with clinically suspected acute cholecystitis. The gallbladder was not visualized in 26 out of 45 patients with inconclusive clinical signs of acute cholecystitis. The diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was confirmed at operation or by a typical clinical course in these 26 patients. In the 19 patients with visualized gallbladder diagnosis other than acute cholecystitis were established by acute operation or by other means.


Changes in gastric mucosal cell proliferation after antrectomy or vagotomy in man. The rate of gastric epithelial cell proliferation was studied in peptic ulcer patients treated by partial gastrectomy or proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV). Endoscopic biopsies were incubated in vitro with 3H-thymidine and autoradiographs were prepared. The percentage of DNA-synthesizing cells (labeling index) in the progenitor cell region was estimated. Five patients were studied before and 3 months after antrectomy, whereas six other subjects were studied before and 2 weeks and 2 months after PGV. The results indicate that epithelial cell proliferation in fundic mucosa is accelerated after antrectomy in man and that PGV is followed by an increased rate of cell renewal in fundic and antral mucosa, whereas the kinetic parameters in duodenal mucosa remain unaffected by this operation. It is concluded that the proliferative changes after these operations are most likely caused by the development of gastritis. The study did not support the hypothesis that gastrin exerts a physiological trophic action on human gastric mucosa.


The role of serum ferritin in the management of idiopathic haemochromatosis. The value of the serum ferritin assay in the management of idiopathic haemochromatosis has been examined in groups of patients at diagnosis, during venesection therapy, and following completion of therapy. At diagnosis, serum ferritin levels were elevated in all 16 patients studied, including 10 with precirrhotic disease. Venesection resulted in a gradual fall in serum ferritin which commenced shortly after the start of treatment in 5/8 patients. In 3/8 the fall was preceded by a transient rise in ferritin levels. In three patients serum ferritin fell to normal before liver iron stores had been restored to normal. After therapy serum ferritin proved unreliable in detecting early re-accumulation of hepatic iron stores. Serum ferritin does provide valuable information in patients with idiopathic haemochromatosis, particularly at diagnosis and during therapy. A normal value does not exclude iron storage disease.


Pancreatic dose-response curves to cholecystokinin determined by two techniques in dogs. Dose-response (DR) curves for pancreatic flow rate, bicarbonate and protein output to cholecystokinin (CCK) were determined by two techniques in six conscious dogs with gastric and duodenal Thomas fistulas. With the continuous DR technique G.I.H. CCK was given by intravenous infusion in doses from 0.75 to 24 Ivy dog units (U) kg(-1) . h(-1), starting with the lowest dose and doubling the dose every 45 min. With the single DR technique only one dose of CCK was infused on each test day. All studies were done with a fixed background of secretin (1 CU kg(-1) . h(-1)). The protein output of the two consecutive 15-min collection periods during 15 to 45 min after starting each CCK dose was taken as the index of response. The dose-response curves for pancreatic flow rate and bicarbonate output did not differ with the two techniques. The maximal protein output was higher with the single DR than with the continuous DR technique. This study suggests that the appropriate method for studying maximal pancreatic protein output is the single DR technique.


Evaluation of methaemalbumin in acute pancreatitis. Methaemalbumin (MHA) was measured in 62 patients with acute pancreatitis. In 26 MHA-positive patients the occurrence of renal and pulmonary complications was 65% and 58%, respectively, compared with 3% and 6% in 36 MHA-negative patients. Fatality rate was 54% in MHA-positive and 6% in MHA-negative patients. In 17 MHA-positive cases haemorrhagic pancreatitis was proven at laparotomy or postmortem examination. Thus MHA determination proved to be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic parameter in acute pancreatitis.


The influence of an abnormal duodenal loop on basal and food-stimulated serum gastrin concentrations. Postprandial serum gastrin secretion was studied in 26 patients with X-ray-negative dyspepsia. Seven patients had a normal duodenum while 19 had duodenal anomalies. In patients with an abnormal duodenal loop, the mean postprandial serum gastrin secretion was significantly higher after 45, 60 and 120 min than that of the control group. No significant difference was demonstrated in the basal state. A delay in gastric emptying rate might be the cause of increased postprandial serum gastrin secretion in patients with an abnormal duodenal loop.


Intestinal lymph chylomicron cholesteryl ester during duodenal triolein infusion at increasing rate. Chylomicron lipid composition in mesenteric lymph fistula rats was followed during duodenal triolein infusion at three rates. Esterified cholesterol decreased progressively in all groups as triglyceride transport continued, and the rate of decrease was reciprocally related to the triolein infusion rate. Suppression of cholesterol ester synthesis may spare unesterified cholesterol for chylomicron membrane formation. Ratios of triglyceride to phospholipid and to unesterified cholesterol increased with the duration of triglyceride secretion, while the chylomicron surface lipid composition remained constant over time. The rate of increase in the core:surface lipid ratios was the same irrespective of the triolein transport rate.


Duodenal pressure activity recorded by an intraluminal electrical transducer in man. The duodenal pressure activity was studied by means of an intraluminal electrical transducer, and the recordings were compared to those of a traditional open-tip tube. The physiological significance of different pressure waves was studied by means of combined pressure and cineradiographic recordings. The recordings obtained by the intraluminal transducer were found to be essentially similar to those obtained by the open-tip tube. Most pressure waves observed in this study were found to cause a propulsive, mixed, or retropulsive movement of the intraluminal contents, and no significant displacement of the contents could be observed without simultaneous pressure waves. A difference in physiological significance of single and complex waves could not be detected. Rhythmic activity caused a rapid propulsion of intraluminal contents. It is concluded that the pressure recordings obtained by the intraluminal transducer are reliable in the study of duodenal motility.


Pre-morbid factors in Hodgkin's disease. II. BCG-vaccination status, tuberculosis, infectious diseases, tonsillectomy, and appendectomy. In young adults with Hodgkin's disease, cell mediated immunity (CMI) was evaluated retrospectively from their health records. The register of records from the school health service of the Copenhagen Council was scrutinized in order to find the records of those with HD born between 1930 and 1950 in whom the disease had been diagnosed between 1943 and 1975. Whenever possible, three controls were selected from the register for each case; they were comparable in respect of sex, year and month of birth and socio-economic background. The material consisted of 63 cases and 182 controls. Information regarding BCG-vaccinations, tuberculin skin-tests, the frequency of tuberculosis, bacterial and viral diseases, and of tonsilectomy, adenoidectomy and appendectomy was obtained from the school health records. 2 HD patients have had tuberculosis versus none in the control group. Complications to or prolonged course of viral diseases were reported neither in HD patients nor in controls. No significant differences were found in the frequency of BCG-vaccination, tuberculin reactivity, viral and bacterial diseases, adenoidectomy, tonsilectomy and appendectomy. Therefore our findings do not support the concept of a pre-morbid CMI deficiency state in HD.


A case of intrarenal artery stenosis associated with erythrocytosis. A case of erythrocytosis with increased plasma erythropoietin level was reported. Peripheral leucocytes and thrombocytes were normal. No splenomegaly was detected. Studies to find underlying disorders causing increased plasma erythropoietin level and erythrocytosis revealed no abnormalities except for the thickened and tortuous interlobular and afferent arteries in the kidney. This change was suggested as the cause of erythrocytosis found in this case.


Preleukaemia (haemopoietic dysplasia) developing in a patient with psoriasis treated with 8-methoxypsoralen and ultraviolet light (PUVA treatment). A 73-year-old man who had suffered for many years from psoriasis was treated with systemic psoralen and longwave ultraviolet light. After 1 year he developed a preleukaemic condition characterized by a refractory anaemia, a slight thrombocytopenia and a normo- to hypercellular bone marrow with an excess of myeloblasts. Karyotyping revealed an abnormal chromosome (12p-) and agar cultures of bone marrow showed moderate growth with a high cluster/colony ratio. He died 1 year later of renal failure precipitated by an acute pancreatitis. Owing to the possible causal relationship we would like to advise increased attention to the haematopoietic system of patients treated with psoralen.


Satellitism of platelets to monocytes in a patient with hypogammaglobulinaemia. The first case of platelet satellitism to monocytes in a patient with hypogamma-globulinaemia is described. Platelet adherence was observed with heparinized blood and was dependent on the patient's plasma. The ultrastructural findings observed with the transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) are reported.


Growth of human marrow in plasma clot diffusion chambers. Unseparated as well as nonadherent human bone marrow cells produced colonies while suspended within plasma clots contained within diffusion chambers implanted into irradiated mice. The majority of colonies consisted of granulocytes or macrophages. Colony size was significantly increased by the administration of endotoxin prior to implantation of the chambers.


Granulocyte-committed progenitor cells in the blood of patients with myelosclerosis. Granulocyte-committed progenitor cells (colony-forming units, CFUc) in the blood of 10 patients with primary myelosclerosis and 2 patients with myelosclerosis following polycythaemia vera were assayed by the agar culture technique. The mean number of CFUc was 54.1 +/- 109 (SD) (range 1.4--394) x 10(6)/1 which corresponded to an increase of more than 1000-fold above normal levels. There was a linear relationship of CFUc with total leucocyte count in the different patients. The magnitude of this increase resembles that found in untreated patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia and is therefore in keeping with the concept that the concentration of CFUc in the circulation is due to a primary increase in their number and not to disordered release from the marrow.


Serum ferritin during infection. A longitudinal study. Serum ferritin, transferrin, iron and haptoglobin have been investigated in a longitudinal study in 18 patients hospitalized for various acute infections. Within a couple of days after the onset of an infection, a rise in serum ferritin was seen, the magnitude of which was not dependent on the type of infection (bacterial or viral). The serum ferritin level remained elevated for several weeks in some patients, and 7 out of the 18 patients still had abnormally high values 5 weeks after the onset of illness. The mean curves for serum ferritin and the acute phase reactant haptoglobin were parallel. Possible mechanisms causing the elevation in serum ferritin are discussed.


The value of preoperative haemostatic screening. The value of preoperative haemostatic screening tests in prediction of surgical bleeding was examined in 101 patients, mainly with abdominal and thyroid lesions. The study demonstrated complete lack of correlation between the preoperative evaluation of bleeding risk and the observed surgical bleeding (phi2 test P approximately 0.85).


Transplantation of cultured thymic fragments. I. Morphologic and technical considerations. Thymic fragments were maintained in organ culture until egress or deterioration of the leucocyte component was near completion. These depopulated cultured thymic fragments were then implanted into immunologically competent mouse recipients. Acute immunologic rejection was not observed in mice given cultured thymic allografts. If the organ culture period was approximately 2 weeks, lymphoid repopulation and newly developed Hassall's corpuscles were observed 7-10 weeks after implantation. If the initial culture period was extended to 3 weeks, transplanted fragments developed as unusual repopulation pattern, characterized by eosinophils, macrophages and plasma cells. This finding could be interpreted as a protracted allograft rejection or, more likely, a loss of ability of the thymic epithelium to attract or differentiate the types of precursors usually attracted to the normal gland. When cultured and non-cultured tissues were simultaneously transplanted in a single recipient, the non-cultured tissue was acutely rejected and became fibrous, while the cultured thymus assumed the appearance of a normal lymphoid organ without any neighbouring inflammatory reaction.


Gut-associated IgA deficiency in lepromatous leprosy. Sera, intestinal secretions and intestinal biopsies were collected from twelve biopsy-proved lepromatous leprosy patients with the help of a capsule invented by Roy Choudhury. Sera from another twenty-five proved lepromatous cases were also included. Sera and intestinal aspirates from twenty-five normal subjects and twenty patients with intestinal tuberculosis were also taken as controls. Acid-fast organisms, morphologically resembling Mycobacterium leprae, were detected in the intestinal aspirates of only two leprosy patients. Immunoglobulin levels in their sera and elevation secretions were estimated by the single radial immunodiffusion technique. Significant elevation of serum IgG, IgA and IgM, selective IgA deficiency in intestinal aspirates and flattening of intestinal villi along with mononuclear cell infiltration were conspicuous observations in the leprosy group. On the other hand, the patients with intestinal tuberculosis showed elevation of the IgG level in serum as well as in the intestinal secretions. It was postulated that persistent challenge by M. leprae or its antigens to the IgA immunocytes of the intestinal epithelium might have induced tolerance leading to IgA deficiency and subsequent subtotal atrophy of the intestinal villi in the patients with lepromatous leprosy.


Purification of human interferon by antibody affinity chromatography, using highly absorbed anti-interferon. Antibodies against partially purified human leucocyte interferon (PIF) were bound to Sepharose 4B and crude interferons applied on this affinity column were purified, up to 8 x 10(5) interferon units (IFU) per mg protein in one step. Antibodies against PIF were absorbed with immobilized crude human leucocyte interferon bound to Sepharose, whereby antibodies against impurities were predominantly removed. Extensively absorbed antisera were coupled to Sepharose and used for antibody affinity chromatography of crude interferon preparations. Leucocyte and fibroblast interferons were purified in one step with around 100% recovery, up to 1 x 10(8) IFU per mg protein, and Namalva interferon up to 2 x 10(7) IFU/mg. SDS electrophoresis of affinity-purified leucocyte interferon revealed that the interferon activity appeared in two bands (19,000 and 23,000 D).