Production of adventitious root primordia on hypocotyls of castor bean seedling, infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The development of sterile secondary tumours on hypocotyls of castor bean seedlings, inoculated with any of the ten isolates of Agrobacterium tumefaciens tested, were observed below the site of the primary tumours. Histopathological studies performed in the present work indicate that the observed secondary tumours were adventitious root primordia and not the ordinary type of secondary tumours. According to the available literature such findings are reported here for the first time. All the tested isolates of the present study were also able to initiate well defined roots in conjunction with crown gall (teratomas) on Bryophyllum crenata and Kalanchoe marmorata, but not in tomato.


Identification of Erwinia sp., causing stalk rot of maize in Egypt. The physiological characteristics, pathogenic propensities, and the sensitivity towards certain antibiotics of the causal bacterium of stalk rot of maize, isolated in Egypt, were studied. Different isolates of Erwinia carotovora and E. atroseptica were included for comparative studies. The antibiotic sensitivity tests (including erythromycin) are of no value in differentiating between E. carotovora and E. atroseptica. The cultures of the causal bacterium of stalk rot of maize showed physiological characteristics similar to those known for E. chrysanthemi. The pathogenic propensities of E. chrysanthemi isolates suggest the presence of a number of pathotypes of E. chrysanthemi. The proposal of HARTMAN and KELMAN to identify maize stalk rot pathogen as E. chrysanthemi (corn pathotype) seems, therefore, to be the most appropriate name for this bacterium.


[Structurally dependent effects of substituted thioureas on the concentration of potato virus X in Nicotiana tabacum L. "Samsun" (author's transl)]. A study has been made to investigate the effects of N-alkyl- and aryl-substituted thioureas as well as N,N'-alkyl-alkyl-, alkyl-aryl-, and aryl-aryl-substituted thioureas on the multiplication of PVX in Nicotiana tabacum L. "Samsun". The virus concentrations of the treated plants were serologically determined and compared with these of untreated controls. The weak antiphytoviral effect of nonsubstituted thiourea remained virtually unchanged in N,N'-dimethyl thiourea, and in N,N,N'-trimethyl thiourea. A stronger antiphytoviral effect was observed for N-phenyl, N',N'-pentamethylene thiourea, as well as N-methyl thiourea. All other substitutions, especially those by longer-chain substituents or by a larger number of substituents, were not found to have an influence on viral multiplication.


Efficacy of some essential oils and their constituents on few ubiquitous molds. Six essential oils of Mentha arvensis, Mentha piperita, Anethum sowa, Cymbopogon winterianus, Nardostachys jatamansi, and Commiphora mukul were selected and tested for their efficacy against Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. sulphureus, Mucor fragilis, and Rhizopus stolonifer. These oils were fungistatic or fungicidal to one or the other molds, depending upon the concentrations.


The effect of the water activity of the milieu on rates of glucose uptake by the osmophilic yeasts Saccharomyces rouxii and Debaryomyces hansenii. Rates of glucose uptake in baker's yeast and in the osmophilic yeasts D. hansenii and S. rouxii were investigated at different values of water activity of the milieu, as regulated either by glycerol or sodium chloride. In both cases, D. hansenii could maintain relatively higher rates of glucose uptake. At lower values of water activity, sodium chloride exerted an inhibitory effect on rates of glucose uptake by S. rouxii, while in the presence of glycerol, rates of glucose uptake shown by S. rouxii resembled those shown by D. hansenii. Rates of glucose uptake by baker's yeast were drastically affected at lower values of water activity in the presence of either solute. Lower values of water activity exerted a stimulatory effect on catalase activity of both S. rouxii and D. hansenii. However, activities of baker's yeast with regard to catalase and invertase were moderately affected under such conditions. Results presented may lead to the presumption that osmophilic yeasts, at least partly, have solved the problem of osmotic tolerance over nonosmotolerant strains by possessing a high capacity for maintaining higher rates of glucose uptake, in spite of the adverse external concentration of solute.


The effect of the fungus Clavatia utriformis on the morphological picture and physiological behaviour of bacteria. When investigating the effect of various fungi on various bacteria, we found that the edible fungus Clavatia caelata (utriformis) affected the bacteria Alcaligenes faecalis in a triple way. A large zone of inhibition of these bacteria was found around the piece of this fungus. Bacteria growing in the outer, i.e., bacteriostatic zone, were morphologically changed/mostly elongated, but also thickened) and also enhanced in their haemolysis. These features are similar to those of some bacteria when under the influence of some antibiotics (esp. penicillins). These changes were only phenotypic. The changed bacterial forms reverted to normal bacterial form and normal haemolysis in 24 hrs. after the transfer to a medium without the influence of the fungus.


[On the phenotypical characteristics of haemophilus isolates from human respiratory tract (author's transl)]. 50 strains of hemophilic bacteria from the human upper respiratory tract were studied using morphological, physiological, and biochemical features including respiratory quinones. The isolates were associated with the conventional species Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae and H. aegyptius. They were grouped into the proposed biovarieties of the Influenzae- and Parainfluenzae-groups according to Kilian's classification. The heterogeneous group of Aegyptius-strains was not classified in detail, and the taxonomic position of one haemophilus-like strain which required blood serum for growth could not be elucidated. In order to differentiate between Influenzae and Parainfluenzae strains independently from the growth factor requirements, some diagnostic criteria were pointed out, namely the decolorization of the indicator bromthymolblue in the OF-test medium, growth characteristics and suspendability in proteose-peptone medium, size of colonies on chocolate agar, production of indole and of acid from sucrose, fructose, xylose and maltose.


[The use of clostridial antigens for a serological and autoradiographical early diagnosis of tumours (author's transl)]. In continuation of the examinations on the usefulness of Cl. oncolyticum M 55 spores reported by Möse new experiments with an auto-radiographical method are plannes. After the isolation, chemical characterization of the cell wall antigens and the exo-antigens and the formation of antibodies, these antibodies should be at first labelled with 125 J and henceforth with 131 J. The iodine-labelled antibodies should allow the diagnosis and localization of the tumours.


[Immunelectrophoretical evidence on inactivation of neuraminidase by limulus polyphemus-amebocyte-lysate (author's transl)]. Neuraminidase in concentrations up to 0.5 nu/0.1 ml (0.05 nu/0.1 ml) added to Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) in equal volumes (each 0.1 ml) releases a gelation reaction. Human AB-serum - subjected to immunelectrophoresis - is used as an indicator system to show that neuraminidase is bond to the LAL (incorporated in the gel). If there is a free amount of neuraminidase immunelectrophoresis of the serum glycoproteins indicates the typical changes previously described by Müller (6, 7). LAL does not cause any immunelectrophoretically detectable changes on serum glycoproteins by itself in the temperature range from +4 degrees C to 37 degrees C. It must be assumed that neuraminidase in a certain amount is releasing the coagulation system.


[Investigations on the antibacterial activity of fosfomycin on DST-agar (author's transl)]. Since in some European countries the activity of antimicrobial substances are assessed on Disc-Sensitivity-Test (DST)-agar, routinely, it has been investigated whether and under which conditions Fosfomycin might be tested on DST-agar with the agar-dilution and -diffusion technique. A total of 320 strains representing 7 species were used as teststrains, and Mueller-Hinton (MH)-agar was employed as reference medium. On DST-agar the MIC-values were increased for some genera like Klebsiella by a factor of 128, a fact that was explained by the sixfold concentration of antagonistically acting Phosphate in DST-agar. Addition of glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) enhanced the sensitivity towards Fosfomycin only with some species. As the endpoint of growth is difficult to determine on DST-agar its use for agar-dilution tests with Fosfomycin can not be recommended. For agar-diffusion tests, however, this medium may be used provided that a thin film of growth or single colonies within the inhibition zones are being disregarded and that the disc content is increased from 50 microgram as being usual at present to 100 or 200 microgram. Diameters of inhibition zones that were obtained with such discs on DST-agar correlated very well (r = --0,89 und --0,93, respectively) with MIC-values derived from agar-dilution tests on MH-agar (+ G-6-P). With discs containing only 50 microgram no inhibition zones are formed by strains that should still be classified as "sensitive" (MIC: 8--32 microgram/ml).


[Experimental studies on the affinity of Toxoplasma gondii to various organs of mice (author's transl)]. In response to their alleged "uterus affinity" the organotropism of various Toxoplasma strains was investigated in the female mouse. Using quantitative histological (immunofluorescence) and serological (Sabin-Feldman-dye test, complement fixation test), we examined the brain, heart, lung, spleen, striated muscle, uterus and ovaries. The following results were obtained: All four of the Toxoplasma strains (ALT, DX, WEISS, GAIL) showed a definite neurotropism. Located in the brain were one hundred times as many cysts as in the sexual organs and ten times as many as in the reamining organs. The uterus and ovary show a low susceptibility, invasion rarely occuring. An "uterus affinity" could not be confirmed. All four Toxoplasma strains showed the same affinity for the various organs. The strain ALT showed the most virulence and formed the most cysts.


[Endemic pleural plaques and environmental factors (author's transl)]. In an agricultural town in Burgenland (Austria) we found an increased prevalence of pleural plaques. These calcifying thickenings of the pleura are related to minimal asbestos exposure such as is mesothelioma, but they cannot be regarded as a precancerosis. The increased occurrence of pleural plaques in this town of nearly 3500 inhabitants (in which during 1916 to 1945 asbestos was mined) we first found at the chest x-ray archives of a pulmologic hospital, then by mass radiography and blind comparison with control groups. A photofluoroscopy of 300 persons yielded 16 cases with definite pleural plaques (5.3%) among which were 4 cases with suspected asbestosis and another 14 cases with uncertain pleural plaques (4.7%). The 600 control persons showed no such radiological changes. Interviews wich persons detected for pleural plaques at mass radiography gave no indication that they had occupational asbestos exposure. But asbestos was detected in the soil of vineyards and in the dust of the houses. Asbestos was also detectable in the atmospheric dust by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic techniques.


[Passive smoking at the workplace--injurious to health? (author's transl)]. The question as to whether passive smoking at the workplace is injurious to health is dealt with. With the aid of the bibliographic standard literature on industrial, social and preventive medicine, all experimental investigations of this subject and published since 1970 were considered. The important results and findings are presented in tabulated surveys broken down by the substances contained in smoke. The present results of investigation are discussed with respect to a practical workplace model whose air-hygienic conditions are determined by legal prescriptions for workplaces. The measured concentrations of the particulate mass and of the most important individual constituents of smoke, carbon monoxide, nicotine and aldehyde make it highly unlikely that passive smoking at the workplace causes injury to health if the prevailing regulations governing the workplace are complied with. Particular attention has to be given to the occupational problems existing in night bars, restaurants and discothecs.


[Tobacco smoking and lung cancer: relative risk for Kreyberg groups I and II (author's transl)]. This paper provides additional information about the not yet completely solved relation of smoking and lung cancer of group Kreyberg II. This problem was analysed for the first time in Austria. In retrospective case-control-study datas were collected about smoking habits of 494 male patients with verivied lung cancer (440 cases belonging to group Kreyberg I and 54 to group Kreyberg II) and 1000 controls. By a computer program the relative risk of smokers compared to non smokers, additionaly in relation to the amount of cigarettes smoked, was calculated for: all lung cancer types, groups Kreyberg I and Kreyberg II. The relative risk for smokers compared to non smokers was for Kreyberg I-tumours 7.78 and for Kreyberg II-tumours 3.42 (statistically significant). In relation to the amount of cigarettes smoked, Kreyberg I-tumours had a significant risk at an amount up to 5000 consumed cigarette packs, Kreyberg II-tumours at an amount of more than 20000 cigarette packs.


[Investigations on the mercury pollutions of drinking water in the urban and rural regions of Styria (Austria) (author's transl)]. The paper reports on the inspection of more than 1000 drinking water supply plants with the purpose of determining the content of mercury. The investigations were carried out during the years from 1974 to 1977, and were intended to clarify whether in Styria (Austria), a partly industrialised and partly agricultural area, the ground water is polluted by mercury resulting from the use of mercury-containing plant preservation chemicals, seed dressings and industrial chemicals. The standard of assessment was taken from the German Drinking Water Regulation of 1975 which establishes a max. permissible mercury content of 4 ppb Hg for drinking water. In 70 per cent of the samples no mercury was detected. Of the remaining 30 per cent of the samples, about 90 per cent proved to have mercury below 1 ppb. The remaining water samples contained more than 4 ppb Hg and these values were attributable to geological or civilisatory causes. In two instances it was impossible to determine the origin of the mercury.


Cause of death risk in relation to general mortality in zones with different degrees of urbanization. This investigation deals with the distribution of mortality of four groups of causes (Diseases of the Circulatory System, of the Respiratory System, of the Digestive System, Injuries and Poisonings) in the coastal (urban area), hill (semi-urban area) and mountain (rural area) zones of the Marche (a region of Central Italy) with the aim of evaluating the risk of death from a specific cause in relation to mortality from all causes. Besides the Age Standardized Mortality Rates (ASDR), both the Relative Standardized Mortality Ratios (RSMR) and the Standardized Proportional Mortality Ratios (SPMR) were utilized.--The results obtained showed that the RSMR and the ASDR had the same trend when the urgan area and the rural area were compared--excluding the diseases of the circulatory system--the risk of death from causes was higher in the urban area. On the contrary, comparing the semi-urban area with the urban area and the rural area, dissonant behaviour between the two parameters was revealed.--The results obtained with the RSMR and with the SPMR were almost always similar.--To determine the significance of the deviation between expected number and observed number of deaths, the procedure for estimating the relation of mortality from specific causes to that from all causes (adaptation of Mantel-Haenszel method) was used. The deviation of the observed from expected number of deaths in the mountain zone, taking the coastal zone as control, was statistically significant or very close to significance for each cause with the exception of injuries and poisonings in females and diseases of the circulatory system in both sexes.


Comparison of the toxicity of some metals and their tetracyanide complexes on the respiration of non acclimated activated sludges. The toxic effect of the metal ions of cadmium, zinc, nickel and mercury and their tetracyanide salt complexes, on the activated sludge not previously acclimated, has been studied. The evaluation of the effect was carried out using both the Warburg and TTC-method. The results obtained have shown that the toxicity of the cadmium and zinc complexes is higher than that of the corresponding metals, while the toxicity of Ni(CN)4(2-) is lower than that of the corresponding metals. No differences have been found between the effect of mercury and the corresponding tetracyanide complex. From the data obtained it appears that it is not possible to generalize about the biological effect of complexation with the CN- group, but it should be stated that, generally, there are substantial differences between metals and their cyanide complexes as far as toxicity for activated sludge is concerned.


Bactericidal activity of 40 potential disinfectant inactivators. Forty commonly used inactivators, both simple substances and mixtures, were tested by a quantitative suspension test for the property of being non-toxic to the bacterial cell. Some inactivators proved to be too inhibitory, even for undamaged organisms, namely cysteine in concentrations of 1.0% and higher, 0.3% and 2.0% lecithin (both especially for P. aeruginosa), and the mixtures 0.3% lecithin/2.0% polysorbate 80/0.1% histidine/2.0% turkey-oil red (for St. aureus) and 0.3% lecithin/3.0% polysorbate 80/0.4% sodium laurylsulfate (for both test organisms).


Cerebral blood flow and metabolism in the acute phase of experimental subarachnoid bleed. Our experiment seems to confirm the hypothesis, implying an active CBF autoregulation as one of the interacting four survival mechanisms during an intracranial hemorrhage. While our present study has indicated that the autoregulation operates during the initial bleed, it is fully conceivable that the autoregulatory capacity may be exhausted after recurrent hemorrhages. Earlier experiments (Häggendal et al. [1970]) showed that autoregulation is easily abolished for prolonged periods after periods of intracranial hypertension. Further experiments are necessary to evaluate the capacity of the cerebral autoregulation to withstand repeated intracranial bleeds.


[The brain abscess today].

[The brain abscess today]. In spite of refined diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities, the cerebral abscess continues to be a disease involving great risks. A comparison of surgically treated groups of patients of the periods 1954 to 1962 and 1963 to 1977 does not show any reduction in lethality. This amounted to 15 per cent for the first group and 17.6 per cent for the second group. Extirpation of cerebral abscesses shows the most favourable results of treatment as compared to other surgical procedures. In our opinion, however, it will not remain the only method of treatment in future because it can only be employed if the patient is in a condition permitting an operation. That is why the open abscess treatment will continue to be justified for all cases where cerebral abscesses occur in combination with subdural or epidural empyemas. Certainly, modern anaesthesia methods as well as intensive pre- and postoperative therapy will further reduce the number of patients who are subjected to a primary puncture treatment. Since 1972, we have treated our patients exclusively by abscess exstirpations. Until 1977, none of the total number of 12 patients treated by us has died. We consider the use of scintigraphic and EEG controls of inflammatory cerebral processes to be of decisive importance. These controls enable a differentiation between diffuse and local inflammatory processes which are accompanied by a liquefaction and in this way permit the selection of the optimum time of operation. A basic condition, however, will always be a good interdisciplinary co-operation with infection departments, paediatric and ENT hospitals where in most cases patients suffering from brain abscesses are first admitted.


[400 intraspinal space-narrowing processes--a clinical study]. Among 400 observations by the authors, 2 per cent were admitted without and another 22 per cent with slight neurological disturbances. An incomplete transverse lesion of the cord with paraplegia was found in 61.7 per cent, a complete paralysis in 14.3 per cent of the cases. Meningiomas and neurinomas were found in 60 per cent of the patients. The average age of the tumour patients was 43,8 years. Meningiomas and metastases show a tendency to occur in older age groups. The "Glioma Age" was around 25 years. The majority of the tumours were located at the level of the thoracic cord. When breaking down according to the kinds of tumours, a different picture is obtained: neurinomas are chiefly located in the region of the cervical medulla and the thoracolumbar region; gliomas are mainly found in the cervical part of the medulla up to the central thoracic cord. A dissociation of the cerebrospinal fluid was found in 90 per cent of the examinations; in 50 per cent of the patients it was above 200 mg%. Within a period of four weeks after the operation, the following results were obtained: 5 per cent free from complaints, improvement in 39  per cent, aggravation in 10 per cent and 46 per cent still uninfluenced. Meningiomas and neurinomas showed the highest degree of improvement. 24 per cent of the patients suffered from transitory rectovesical disturbances, 15 per cent from urinary tract infections, 12 per cent from decubitus, 9 per cent from wound healing disturbances and another 9 per cent from pneumonia. Meningitis was found in 2 per cent. Within four weeks post operationem, the death rate was 10.5 per cent, but this was in the phase before the introduction of microsurgery. On the accuracy of the diagnoses: in 18 per cent the neurological findings were in agreement with the diagnosis and in 49 per cent they showed differences of 1 to 3 segments; in 11 per cent no definite diagnosis could be made. In 46 per cent the native X-ray picture showed pathological changes. Myelography with positive contrast media showed positive findings in 97 per cent and 98 per cent of positive findings were obtained with myeloscintigraphy.


[Results of psychological examinations for the optimization of rehabilitation following neurosurgical therapeutic measures in cerebral lesions of adults]. On the basis of statistical data on neurosurgical therapy measures carried out in two five-year periods in adult patients with cerebral lesions, the need of rehabilitation, psychic peculiarities, and problems of social integration are discussed. The results of the neuropsychological examinations demonstrate the multifactorial dependence of inter-individual and environmental factors in postoperative problems. Aspects of psychological consultation, of special pedagogical therapy measures and of forms of communication are presented as promising possibilities of an optimisation of rehabilitation.


[Current problems in the surgical management of parasellar meningiomas]. In the period from 1967 to 1972, 302 patients suffering from basal parasellar meningiomas were operated on at the Burdenko Institute of Moscow. Further, an analysis of the results obtained in the surgical treatment of 43 patients is given who were operated on in the last two years by employing the microsurgical technique. The considerable advantages of the use of the operating microscope and the microtechnique are shown. The mortality rate was reduced to one half and the radicality increased from 50 to 80--85 per cent. All Tuberculum sellae meningiomas could be removed totally. Also in the presence of bad general conditions of the patients no contraindications were seen but the very last chances were used. Postoperative supervision consisted in measuring and checking the cerebrospinal pressure, intracerebral pressure, interstitial fluid pressure, local and regional blood flow, pCO2 and pO2, electrolyte balance, osmolarity and pH. In this way, low pressure conditions could frequently also be determined. The influence of an early diagnosis on the prognosis of the disease is specially pointed out.


[The moyamoya syndrome].

[The moyamoya syndrome]. The Moyamoya vascular convolutions are interpreted as an unspecific collateral system in unilateral and bilateral progressive stenosing of the A. carotis interna and additional transdural externainterna anastomoses. In such cases one should speak of a Moyamoya syndrome. The designation Moyamoya disease only applies to the congenital form. In an unclarified case observed by the authors, which however showed clinically and angiographically the typical findings of the Moyamoya syndrome, a haemodynamically effective anastomosis of the A. occipitalis externa to the A. vertebralis on the left side was also found for the first time in the series of transdural inflow variants.


[Determination of the concentration of free magnesium ions in hemolysates of oxygenated and deoxygenated packed human erythrocytes]. Concentrations of ionized magnesium in hemolyzates of oxygenated and deoxygenated human erythrocytes were measured directly by means of an ion exchange method. At total concentrations of hemoglobin of 8 mmol/l H2O and total magnesium of 3.6 mmol/l H2O, mean values of [Mg2+] were found to be 0.45 in the oxygenated state and 0.57 mmol/l H2O in the deoxygenated state. The difference of 0.12 +/- 0.1 mmol/l H2O is considerably smaller than corresponding literature data obtained from equilibrium calculation.


The dependence on the extramitochondrial ATP/ADP-ratio of the oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria isolated by a new procedure from rat skeletal muscle. A simple method for preparation of rat skeletal muscle mitochondria is presented using gentle mechanical homogenization in a syringe and nagarse treatment (EC 3.4.4.16). This method enables the preparation of skeletal muscle mitochondria, whose outer membrane is intact to 95%. Furthermore, with mitochondria prepared by this method the regulation of respiration and phosphorylation by the extramitochondrial ATP/ADP-ratio can be demonstrated. In accordance to rat liver and heart mitochondria and to mitochondria of rabbit reticulocytes, the regulation by the extramitochondrial ATP/ADP-ratio lies in the range from 5 (corresponding to 98% of the maximum respiration) to 100 (corresponding to state 4). At extramitochondrial ATP/ADP-ratios from 0.01 to 1 the respiration rate is nearly constant (maximum rate of respiration).


[Comparison of procedures for determining Michaelis-Menten parameters together with their standard deviations using simulated measurement series]. The direct non-linear fit of Cleland and different methods applying linear regression analysis to linearized forms of the Michaelis-Menten equation have been compared. Comparison was made with respect to bias and standard deviation of the estimated values of Km, Vm, deltak and deltav. The Lineweaver-Burk method, weighted by approximately v3, turned out to produce estimates nearly as reliable as the direct fit of Cleland if one does not know whether the velocities are subject to constant absolute or relative errors. The comparison was based on ca. 10000 simulated series of velocity measurements. Runs with fewer simulated measurement series showed that for comparing different evaluation methods, at least 1000 measurement series should be simulated in order to get reliable results.


[Characterization of a protease from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris (thermitase). 1. Purification of thermitase]. The paper deals with the purification of the microbial protease preparation "thermitase" (submerged cultivation of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris; treatment of culture filtrate with ethanol or Na2SO4, vacuum drying of precipitate). The crude substance was purified by column chromatography on Sephadex G-75, DEAE-Cellulose and Sephadex G-50. The proteolytically active fractions were in each case united, freeze dried and tested for protein components and protease activity by gel electrophoresis. After passage of the third column the isolated protease (4.5 fold enrichment in the specific activity) was further characterized. The electropherogram (pH 8.9) presented a protease band moving to the anode which was accompanied by 2 very weak protease bands. Furthermore there could be detected a very active protease band (main component of Thermitase) as well as a side band with lower activity both moving to the cathode. The freeze dried preparation contained 85% protein and 4% carbohydrates (glucose as single monomer component after acid hydrolysis). A molecular weight of 11,000 was determined by chromatography on Sephadex G-75. This value is critically discussed. Hints are given for autolytic processes taking place during the purification procedure.


[Characterization of a protease from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris (thermitase). 2. Single-step fine purification and protein-chemical characterization]. The fine purification of an alkaline protease (thermitase) from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris by means of isoelectrical focussing in the flat-bed procedure using granulated gel is reported. An Na2SO4-precipitated crude product serves as the starting material. Isoelectrical focussing leads in a single step to a highly purified protein with an uniform N-terminal end group. The enzyme has an IP at 9.0 and a mol. wt. of 37,400; it consists of a polypeptide chain with arginine as the N-terminal, and tyrosine as the C-terminal end group. In addition to an essential serine residue, a SH group could be demonstrated which is hardly accessible in the native enzyme. Furthermore, the influence of different protease inhibitors was studied.


[Hypersynchronous EEG activity and conditioned avoidance reflexes in rats]. The influence of dimethylsulfolane on active avoidance conditioning with simultaneous registration of EEG was investigated. Dimethylsulfolane, which shows some pharmacological properties of pentylenetetrazole causes a decrease of the amount of conditioned reactions. There was no strong correlation between the impairment of learning ability and the number of EEG spindle discharges after dimethylsulfolane.


The autoregressive time series modelling of stabilograms. Power spectral density analysis of frontal and sagittal stabilograms in young male subjects with a normal vestibular function indicates the fitting of parametric time series models to stabilograms. Subjects were standing on a force platform under three different standing conditions. Stabilograms lasting for 2 minutes were processed by means of a TPAi computer with the CAMAC system. Following digital high-pass filtering, correlation functions and power spectral density distributions were estimated. Linear autoregressive models of increasing order up to 30 were fitted to stabilograms on the basis of the autocorrelation functions by means of a recursive scheme. The goodness of fit of the autoregressive models was significantly different in the standing conditions, planes and subjects. The orders of models for frontal stabilograms were higher than for sagittal ones, whereas the residual variances were lower than for sagittal stabilograms. We arrived at the conclusion that autoregressive modelling is a suitable approach for obtaining reliable spectral estimates and for characterizing the control system of body sway.


Photodegradation of bilirubin as enhanced by photosensitizers in vitro. Photosensitizers such as methylene blue or riboflavin enhance the rate of bilirubin photodegradation in vitro. This effect is studied with respect to dose-response and time-response relationships, the influence of concentrations of bilirubin and albumin, and the oxygen consumption. The results are discussed in view of the probability that the effects described also occur in vivo and that riboflavin supplementation to neonates could improve the phototherapy of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.


[Effect of omega-H-perfluorinated carbonic acids on the wet weight, membrane potential and contractility of isolated skeletal muscle]. To investigate the effect of fluoralkanes on cellular functions, isolated frog muscles were exposed to octafluoro-pentanoic acid (OP) and hexadecafluoro-nonanoic acid (HN). 20 MM of OP induced a small depression of the contraction amplitude and a loss of wet weight of 10% which was similar to the osmotic effect of pentanoic acid or sucrose. The membrane resting potential was not changed up to 50 mM. HN was much more effective: 0,5 mM decreased the contraction amplitude in a few minutes and depolarized the membrane by 20 to 30 mV in 2 h. 10 mM HN induced a weight gain of 20% connected with a contracture. Since the caffeine contracture was also depressed by 1 mM it is assumed that HN interact with cellular membranes and alter their Ca-binding properties.


[Effect of lithium on fat, protein and water content in rats]. The effect of lithium (0.55 g lithium carbonate per kg dry food), administered in rats for a period of 6 weeks, upon body composition (fat, protein, water) was studied. In lithium treated rats, which are after lithium treatment overweight or underweight, the percentual body fat decreases significantly in comparison to untreated rats. The percentual protein content is unchanged. The percentual water content is statistically increased in underweight lithium treated animals.


Detoxication of phosphonothioates and phosphonofluoridates in the rat. 0-isopropylmethyl phosphonofluoridate and 0-ethyl-S-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate were i.m. administered in doses of 2 x LD50 to female rats and the blood acetylcholinesterase was continuously monitored using the automatic colorimeter Auto Analyzer. This activity rapidly decreased after the injection of the two organophosphates studied. If the blood flow in the leg muscles was stopped by compression and reopened by relaxation at different time intervals, acetylcholinesterase activity was either unaffected (detoxication present) or decreased (detoxication absent). It was observed that phosphonofluoridate was detoxified; on the other hand, phosphonothioate was not detoxified in the rat organism.


Immunochemical studies on human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Highly purified GAPD preparations from human erythrocytes and skeletal muscle have been used as immunogenes in rabbits. The antibodies produced readily precipitated their antigens and also inhibited their enzymatic activities. An immunochemical evaluation of the precipitability of both enzymes exhibited no immunochemical differences between them. Furthermore, the antibodies were tested against several tissue homogenates from man and revealed an identical precipitability. The identical cross-reactivity indicating a lack of antigenic differences support the absence of GAPD-isoenyzmes in man. The amount of GAPD in several organ extracts was estimated by the technique of single radial immunodiffusion. Furthermore it was demonstrated that the GAPD is bound to the membrane only under hypotonic conditions of hemolysis, while under approximated intracellular conditions of hemolysis the GAPD is not membrane bound.


[Effect of stimulation of the nucleus raphe dorsalis on cortical hypersynchronous activity in the rat]. Stimulation of the nucleus raphe dorsalis (B7) with low frequency electrical current in freely moving albino rats provoked an increase of hypersynchronous activity in the epileptogenic focus. The time course of this effect points to an action of the liberated 5-hydroxytryptamine.


[Effect of the intraventricular administration of vasopressin and oxytocin on hypothalamic self stimulation]. The influence of 500 microunits oxytocin as well as 50 micrunits lysine-vasopressin on hypothalamic self-stimulation rate after intraventricular application was studied. Oxytocin caused an increase and vasopressin a decrease in the self-stimulation rate.


Study of blood coagulation in experimental diabetes. In experimental alloxan diabetes of rats a twofold increase in fibrinogen level was observated at 48 and 144 hrs following alloxanization. Other coagulation parameters did not show any alteration.


[Changes in the liver following a single administration of 11-H-eicosafluoroundecanoic acid in rats]. A single oral administration of 27 mg 11-H-eicosafluorundecanoic acid/kg of body weight (according to 1/20 of the oral LD50; 0.049 mM) resulted in a long lasting hepatomegaly in male rats. This was accompanied by a decrease of the triglyceride and total lipid levels in blood serum, a temporary increase of the total lipids in the liver, and an increase of the hexobarbital sleeping time, the latter being normalized before the liver/body weight ratio reached the control level. The bromothalein elimination and the S-alanine amino transferase and S-alkaline phosphatase activities were not affected.


Pre-mRNA from erythroid enriched bone marrow cells of the rabbit. II. Characterization of pre-mRNA isolated by phenol extraction and poly(U)-Sepharose chromatography. Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) was extracted from erythroid enriched bone marrow cells of the rabbit by the methods of Georgiev and Mantieva modified by Markov and Arion and of Holmes and Bonner, respectively. Density gradient centrifugation, base analysis and the effects of alpha-amanitin and actinomycin D on the synthesis of the cellular RNA showed signs of degradation in the rRNA-free 85 degrees C-fraction of the preparation according to Georgiev and Mantieva and a substantial rRNA contamination of the 65 degrees C-fraction. This RNA-fraction as well as the total RNA-preparation extracted according to Holmes and Bonner was purified from rRNA by affinity chromatography on poly(U)-Sepharose. Poly(A)+-RNA of all size-classes, among it a substantial amount of high molecular weight RNA (greater than 45 S), was isolated by this purification procedure. Especially the extraction according to Holmes and Bonner yields high molecular weight material but the critical step of this procedure often resulting in degradation of the RNA is the DNase treatment of the heavily DNA-contaminated total RNA-preparation either due to RNase contamination of the DNase or to the existence of RNase in the less intensive deproteinized RNA. The investigated cellular system is characterized by a very intensive rRNA synthesis which is typical for cells in the early stages of hematopoiesis. In contrast to investigations with purified RNA-polymerases and subcellular systems, but in accordance with data of in vivo experiments, alpha-amanitin inhibits both the pre-mRNA and the pre-rRNA synthesis.


Pre-mRNA from erythroid enriched bone marrow cells of the rabbit. III. Poly(A)-, oligo(U)- and double stranded sequences. Pre-mRNA from bone marrow of rabbits enriched in erythroid cells was analyzed by T1 and pancreatic RNase treatment and poly(U)- and poly(A)-Sepharose chromatography to contain poly(A)-, oligo(U)- and double stranded sequences. The length of the poly(A)- and oligo(U)-sequences was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using poly(A)- and oligo(U)-standards of defined length. Poly(A) from poly(A)+pre-mRNA isolated according to the method of Holmes and Bonner shows a size distribution between 40 and 130 nucleotides with an average of 75 nucleotides. Hot phenol extraction according to Georgiev et al. leads to a smaller size of about 25 nucleotides. The oligo(U)-segment consists of 80% U and is about 25 nucleotides long. Poly(A)+ pre-mRNA of about 12000--16000 nucleotides posseses 1--2 oligo(U)-units and one double strand of about 70 nucleotide pairs. Most (greater than 90%) of the oligo(U)-and the double stranded sequences are localized at least 1700 nucleotides away from the 3'terminus. Double strands were investigated with respect to their reannealing behaviour. The material consists of two types of double strands: 20% which reassociate at a cot/2  cot/2 of 1.3 . 10(-4) represent only one or a few types of double strands, the remaining 80% reassociate at a cot/2 of about 7 . 10(-2) and are more complex. Under hybridization conditions pre-mRNA molecules are able to self-annealation. 10% of the sequences become RNase stable.


Studies on proteins of animal ribosomes. XXVIII. Preparation and antigenic properties of 40 S subunit proteins of rat liver ribosomes. By combination of ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration, preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and perchloric acid fractionation 21 proteins of the small ribosomal subunit of rat liver were isolated with a purity of more than 95%. It could be demonstrated by immunological studies that no extensive structural homologies exist between these proteins.


[Effect of Na+ and Ca++ ion concentrations in the outer medium surrounding the erythrocyte membrane on the viscosity of blood suspensions]. A small concentration of Na+ ions (0.1 mM) causes an enlargement of the viscosity in suspensions of erythrocytes which is partial reversible by addition of Na+ ions. Ca++ ions have a conserving function. The relative viscosity is changed in the relation of concentrations of ions of Ca++:Na+ = 1:2. Changes in the viscosities are refered to change of structure of the components of membrane, especially for the part of lipids.


The influence of charged matrix surfaces on the thermostabilizing effect of calcium ions on immobilized fungal alpha-amylase. The stabilizing effect of calcium ions on fungal alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) immobilized on a polystyrene anion exchanger (P+ amylase) was investigated and compared to the behaviour of soluble amylase. Moreover, gamma-(1,4-benzoquinone-2-yl)-aminopropyl silica-amylase (Si(n) amylase) as a conjugate with weakly basic amino groups and gamma-succinamidopropyl silica amylase (Si- amylase) as a conjugate with free carboxyl groups were applied for comparison. Depending on the calcium ion concentration the immobilized amylases showed a lower thermal stability than the soluble enzyme. The reduced stability was attributed to matrix effects in the microenvironment of the immobilized amylases and the calcium ion concentration in the carrier phase, which was changed in comparison with the external solution. Contrary to the non-measurable matrix effects in the microenvironment, altered calcium ion concentrations in the carrier phase of the polystyrene anion exchanger (P+) and gamma-succinamidopropyl silica (Si-) could be detected. With increasing calcium ion concentration a greater decrease of activity was observed for the soluble amylase than for the immobilized enzymes. The thermal stability of soluble amylase and P+ amylase was studied in dependence on pH. In the acidic pH-range P+ amylase indicated a higher thermal stability than the soluble enzyme in the presence of Ca2+ as well as in the absence of Ca2+. Contrary to soluble amylase the stabilizing effect of calcium ions on P+ amylase begins already at pH 3.5. Kinetic investigations for thermal inactivation were performed on soluble amylase and P+ amylase in the presence and absence of Ca2+ in the temperature range between 44--60 degrees C. Thermal inactivation proceeded by first order reactions. The inactivation rate constants kin served as a measure of thermal stability for discussing the stabilizing effect by Ca2+ depending on the temperature. The activation energies of inactivation EA were determined from the Arrhenius-plot of the inactivation rate constants.


[Osmotherapy of acute kidney failure with special reference to plasma renin activity and mineral balance]. 13 dogs were used to generate an acute toxic renal failure by sublimate. The alterations both of plasma renin activity (PRA) and of the acid-base and mineral balance were observed in uremia and after "osmotherapy" with mannitol (13 dogs). In the course of toxic renal failure the PRA increases on the average. A decompensated metabolic acidosis with general transmineralization is observed. Since in the stage of anuria the Na+ in urine fails to reach the macula densa cell canicularly, the theory is advanced that only the intracellular sodium in the macula densa cell is responsible for the regulation of the position of the vas deferens. Following "osmotherapy" the PRA is significantly lowered. The acidosis is still worsened under conditions of anuria. For the regulation of renin it has to be assumed that the enzyme in acute anuria after osmotherapy is being altered especially by volume receptors. Thus, osmotic therapy seems to be reasonable only with existing residual diuresis. This is valid especially for the administration of mannitol, because this substance remains strictly outside the cell.


[EEG power spectrum of the rabbit visual cortex in long-term experiments]. In chronic experiments the EEG of visual cortex in rabbits was investigated by means of power spectral analysis. The transition from wakefulness to slow wave sleep was characterized by a power shift from theta into delta range. The mean value of power spectra have shown a long term habituation.


[Spectral analysis of blood pressure-, heart rate- and respiration rhythms in different postures in probands and patients with neurovegetative disorders]. In a statistical comparison between autospectra of blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rhythms in 16 healthy volunteers in sitting and standing position and between these and results in 16 patients suffering from autonomic disorders there have been shown: (1) significantly higher power spectral densities in distinct frequency bands of the parameters in orthostasis (with exception of heart rate spectra) and (2) more distinct changes in patients. Moreover, a significant decrease of spectral densities of heart rate waves was computerized in patients. The physiological background is discussed.


[Learning and memory processes during postnatal ontogenesis in rats with spontaneous hypertension]. The examination of learning and memory processes by a conditional reflectory locomotor avoidance reaction on 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, 20-, 26-, and 50-week-old rats with spontaneous hypertension (SHR Okamoto/Aoki) revealed, up to an age of 20 weeks, correlations between the height of blood pressure and learning and memory performance by analogy with parameters of the hydrocarbon metabolism [1,2]. Three stages were observed: Stage I: Juvenile animals (8--10 weeks) with mean systolic blood pressure values of 150 to 170 torr showed a comparatively low restriction of learning and memory processes. Stage II: In adult animals (12--20 weeks) with mean systolic blood pressure values of 180 to 210 torr learning was inhibited by about 50%, while retention of memory was completely disturbed. Stage III: In old animals (26--50 weeks) with mean systolic blood pressure values above 200 torr the faculty to learn a conditional avoidance reflex was virtually lost. Destruction or blockage of hypothalamic behavioral substances are assumed to cause the derangement of learning and memory processes in spontaneously hypertensive rats.


[Adjustment of systolic and diastolic pressure in the left ventricle during acute changes in outflow resistance in a rat heart-lung preparation]. Knowledge of the course of active and passive pressure regulation of the heart is essential for characterizing its faculty of self-regulation. We therefore studied the adjustment of systolic and end-diastolic pressure development through the left ventricle of the heart-lung preparation of rat against an acutely enhanced outflow resistance. It had been determined previously, how and how long hemodynamic stability of the preparation could be reached and maintained under the given experimental conditions. On sudden enhancement of the outflow resistance from 60 to values of 100--160 mm Hg we observed a multiphasic response of the systolic and diastolic pressure whose extent and dynamics were proportional to load. The ability of the end-diastolic pressure to re-adjust was determined to be 60--68%. The results suggest a multifactorial mechanism of self-regulation.


The wayward pacemaker electrode.

The wayward pacemaker electrode. Complications from the use of permanent cardiac pacemakers are frequent and manifold. The most common complications associated with pacemaker electrodes, both endocardial and myocardial, as well as their prevention and treatment are discussed. Also described is a new technique of inserting a myocardial electrode without formal thoracotomy.


[Hyperplasia of the thyroid gland. Surgical indications and treatment (author's transl)]. The surgical indications of a benign multinodular euthyroid struma are:  compression of trachea and oesophagus or a possible malignity of the lesion. The operation of choice is a bilateral subtotal lobectomy. To avoid postoperative vocal cord paralysis or hypocalcemia due to damage of the parathyroid glands, it is important to demonstrate systematically the recurrent nerve and spare the inferior thyroid artery.


[Which thyroid nodules need to be operated? (author's transl)]. Up to 20% of isolated cold thyroid nodules are malignant neoplasms. However, in the case of 1-4 cm large nodules entirely cystic as demonstrated by echotomography, surgery is not necessary as the frequency of malignancy is only 1%. In cases of hot nodules the risk of cancer is regarded as almost nil, but such nodules can lead to thyrotoxicosis. Treatment by surgery or 131l will depend on the patient's age and condition; it must be performed for all hyperthyroid patients and, as a preventive measure, for all elderly or cardiac patients to prevent the consequences of even slight hyperthyroidism. The complete work up of a nodule requires not only scintigraphy and thyroid echotomography but also a careful clinical examination, tracheal X-ray, determination of serum antithyroid antibodies, assessment of thyroid function and, in some cases, trial therapy using thyroid hormones.


[Surgery of the intrathoracic goiter (author's transl)]. One is often obliged to resect intrathoracic goiters. This is not directed towards functional problems but towards the local compression on other organs in the vicinity. Goiters that extend through the cervicomediastinal inlet are of this kind. In cases where the major part is in the mediastinum there still exists a continuity with the cervical part. Most cases can be resected by a cervicostomy. The vascularization comes from the neck except in true thoraic goiters. This makes it possible to ligate the vessels before extracting the gland. In difficult cases a mid sternotomy may be useful so that all thoracic goiters can be operated safely.


[Cold nodules of the thyroid gland. Therapeutic strategy, histopathological results and postoperative events (author's transl)]. Isotopic investigation of the thyroid disorders has brought up the notion of cold areas. These cold foci may exist in a goiter or in an otherwise normal gland (isolated cold nodules). A number of these are cancers, especially the isolated nodules. Thus the best treatment is the systematic resection of the area containing the lesion: i.e. subtotal thyroidectomy for a goiter and partial thyroidectomy for isolated cold nodules. The technique is described. We prefer the delayed histological analysis which is more reliable. It will command the following treatment, for instance a total resection in case of cancer. Histological analyses of resected specimens are presented. The postoperative results are examined: there are few complications either early or late. When systematically researched, postresection hypothyroidism is rare.


Duplication of the blood glucose curve of an OGTT in dogs by a prospectively programmed I.V. infusion: infusion pattern and IRI response. In conscious dogs the peripheral venous blood glucose profile of an OGTT (1.0 g/kg) was individually duplicated by a computed i.v. glucose infusion. The correspondence reached between both tests was demonstrated by the correlation between the paired increments of the reactive blood glucose concentration areas. The average total dose needed for duplication was 0.52 +/-0.04 g/kg (no. = 11). There was a more rapid and greater IRI increase in OGTT than in the infusion test. When 1.0 g glucose per kg was given according to the same pattern by a computed infusion, the integrated areas both of blood glucose and of IRI was twice that in OGTT. We concluded that the IRI increase in OGTT reinforced by enteral mechanisms favors the direct hepatic uptake of absorbed glucose. This could also protect the body from an excessive insulin release provoked by the entire oral load if it reached the peripheral circulation.


I.V. glucose tolerance test: correlation between FFA, glucose and IRI in normal, obese and diabetic subjects. Insulin response and FFA behavior have been evaluated during an IVGTT in 63 subjects of whom 18 were normal, 31 were obese (with varying degrees of carbohydrate tolerance) and 14 were mild non insulin-dependent diabetics. The extreme reduction of insulin secretion in the early phase (delta 0-15 min) and the less severe impairment of the late phase (delta 15-60 min) have been confirmed; obese subjects showed on the average an active insulin response to venous loading; this was more marked and more consistent in the late phase. Compared to controls, FFA concentration both in basal conditions and during IVGTT was progressively higher in obese and diabetic patients. When analyzing the interplay between IRI, KG and FFA in the course of IVGTT, it was observed that: (1) a close correlation exists between IG and early insulin response (r = 0.72); (2) a correlation between delta IRI 0-15 min and percentage decrease of FFA at 45 min is found only in normal subjects; (3) a negative highly significant correlation is found between KG and mean FFA plasma level 0-60 min. This last correlation is evidence of the important role played by FFA in carbohydrate tolerance. The conflicting results reported by others have been discussed.


Method for tapping the parotid gland. Studies in patients with bilateral englargement of the parotid gland. A new biopsy method for the study of the parotid gland is proposed. 60 patients with enlarged parotid gland were studied and samples in 44 of them were obtained for investigation. There was a hematoma in the tapping area of two patients but both recoved. This new-method implies a simple procedure, without serious complications that will facilitate the development of clinical studies and further investigation of the parotid gland.


[Protein loss in gastrectomized patients with or without steatorrhea]. Intestinal protein loss was determined in a group of patients with gastric resection by measuring the faecal radioactivity in the stools of 4 days, after intravenous administration of Cl3Cr51. The patients studied were divided in three groups: a) 10 healthy control subjects, b) 5 patients with gastrectomy BII without steatorrhoea, c) 15 patients with gastrectomy BII with steatorrhoea. In group (a) faecal radioactivity was 0.36 +/- 0.26% of the administrated dosis; in group (b) the value was 1.24 +/- 1.07% and in group (c) the activity was 1.40 +/- 1%. Statistically significative difference between groups (a) and (b) ((p less than 0.05) was found between groups (a) and (c) the difference was highly significative (p less than 0.001). However there was no significative difference between groups (b) and (c) (p less than 0.8). We think that serum protein intestinal loss may be, one of the causes of the hipoalbuminemia present in some patients who underwent partial gastrectomy because of gastroduodenal ulcer. Otherwise we did not find a relation between protein loss and steatorrhoea.


[Annular pancreas. Considerations on 2 cases]. Two patients with annular pancreas are presented. Sintoms, complications, association with another congenital diseases, diagnosis, treatment and postoperative course are commented. Theories of embriologic development of pancreas and annular pancreas etiology are mentioned.


[Gastric polyps: review and analysis of 37 cases]. The results of the study of 37 patients with gastric polyps are analysed. The different methods show as most frequent findings; solitary polyps, 73%; sessile, 60%; of antral localization, 70%; smaller than 2 cm., 78%; with chronic gastritis histology, 50%; and with hypochlorhydria, 77% (achlorhydria, 62%). The incidence of malignancy was of 10%. The fost frequent concomitant pathologies were cholecystopathy (33%) and diabetes mellitus (30%). Abdominal pain, anaemia and digestive tube bleeding were the most frequent findings, with an incidence of 40%. An attempt is made to establish diagnostic and therapeutics standards and follow up criteria are presented.


[Psychic disturbance in normal pressure hydrocephalus (author's transl)]. After reviewing the literature on psychic disturbance in normal pressure hydrocephalus, the author reports on 26 cases of CSF drainage. Impairment of memory and concentration were always present in normal pressure hydrocephalus; behaviour disorders were very frequent and characterized by both types of frontal behaviour; the mental picture also comprised difficulties of calculation, writing, visuoconstructive praxis and, less frequently, impaired speech and reading ability. CSF drainage brought clinical improvement in 73% of the cases. Disorders of consciousness, mental function and behaviour regressed generally progressively as soon as the operation had been performed. Two major factors affecting therapeutic efficacity appear to be the patient's age and the length of time between onset of the symptoms and start of therapy.


[Hemotachymetry by Doppler effect (author's transl)]. Transcutaneous hemotachymetry by ultrasonic Doppler effect is a simple, rapid, atraumatic and inexpensive method for obtaining hemodynamic data from cervical arteries; it is immensely useful for diagnosis of circulatory disorders. The author consider the physical principles of the method, its advantages and its drawbacks. Reproducibility and normal hemodynamic values are discussed.


Sporadic oculopharyngeal myopathy with abnormal mitochondria. A case of late onset ophthalmoplegia and dysphagia is presented. Serum enzymes, ECG, EEG, thyroid function and edrophonium test were normal. Muscle biopsy revealed the presence at oxidative enzymes of 5% of fibres displaying subsarcolemmal hyperactivity and a coarse network pattern, mainly involving type II fibres. At electron microscopy mitochondrial abnormalities with paracrystalline inclusions were detected. The case is discussed in the light of the heterogeneity of ocular myopathies and their overlapping both with one another and with the so called mitochondrial myopathies.


Single unit responses to moving spots in the superior colliculus of the cat's isolated midbrain. The midbrain was isolated from the pons and forebrain by two brainstem transections, pretrigeminal and "preoptic", inclined at 32 degree or 35 degree to the vertical plane. The preoptic transection passed along the rostral border of the optic tract, leaving it and the chiasm intact. Thus, direct visual input into the isolated tissue was maintained. Single unit responses to a moving spot were investigated in the superior colliculus. This stimulus evoked vigorous responses in most cells. Of the 70 tested units, 25 showed direction-selectivity, 48 speed-selectivity and 47 reacted to diffuse flash. Compared to cats with only pretrigeminal transection only the number of direction-selective units was reduced. The reduction was similar to that found previously in cats with ablated visual cortex or visually deprived from birth. Thus, the cells of the isolated superior colliculus show a striking degree of functional integrity.


Problem of behavioral plasticity in slave-making Amazon-ant Polyergus rufescens Latr. and in its slave-ants Formica fusca L. and Formica cinerea Mayr. Changes in the natural behavior, expressing adaptation to cohabitation in a community, were observed in the slave-making ants P. rufescens and the slave-species F. fusca and F. cinerea. After a few raids, the initially undirected arousal evoked in the slaves by the amazons' raids, begins to acquire attributes appropriate to the situation, but completely different in both studied slave-species. F. cinerea picks up the pupae abandoned on the nest by the slave-making ants and eventually begins to wrench them away from the amazons arriving with prey. F. fusca, whose nests have openings so narrow that it prevents the mass entry of amazons with prey, begin to enlarge those openings shortly after the amazons return. After a certain number of raids, F. fusca begin to enlarge the openings immediately after the departure of the amazons for the slave-raid. The amazons, on their side, adjust soon to the specific behavior of the given slave-species; in nests with F. fusca, they make use of enlarged openings, carrying their prey through them into the nest; when F. cinerea are the slaves, most of the amazons begin to drop the pupae on the nest, and later even surrender the prey to the slaves who meet them. It is supposed that in all three species, under the influence of specific conditions there occurs the process of learning of new forms of behavior.


Evaluation of functional degeneration of the amazon-ant Polyergus rufescens Latr. under an influence of socially parasitic way of life. In certain, infrequently occurring, favorable circumstances the ants P. rufescens can display patterns of behavior which seem to be disappearing as a result of their parasitic way of life: the ability to food themselves, independently though ineffectively, elements of the offspring-protection behavior, transporting of nestmates, escape reaction. Similar events reinforce the infrequently used, latent reflexes, preventing their complete extinction. It is supposed that the characteristic in conventional parasitism disappearance of certain elements of behavior is inhibited by a social way of life. It may also be true of other, non-insect communities.


Hedonesthesia: the nervous process determining motivated ingestive behavior. The hedonistic theory of motivated ingestive behavior is discussed against drive-reduction theories, which claim that ingestive motivated behavior is mainly determined by the urge to meet the basic needs of the organism, often ignoring the important role of sensations. Evidence is supplied that mere sensations derived by exteroceptors can play an essential part in motivated behavior. A view is put forward that the reinforcing properties of exteroceptive stimulation in motivated ingestive 'behavior should be related to their ability to generate positive emotional states experienced as pleasure. It was pointed out, however, that the same external gustatory stimulation may possess a different hedonic value, depending on the current nutritional state of the organism. Therefore, the existence of a special nervous process which makes these stimuli emotionally positive, neutral or negative, i.e., pleasant, indifferent or aversive, depending on the given state of need is postulated. We call this nervous process hedonesthesia, and claim that it plays a decisive part in motivated ingestive behavior. The possible mechanism of hedonesthesia is explained on the block model.


Phrenic nerve activity and ventilation during lung oedema in rabbits. Single fibre and "integrated" phrenic nerve activity was recorded in anaesthetized spontaneously breathing rabbits, during experimentally induced lung oedema. Tidal volume, blood pressure, end-tidal CO2, were monitored. In oedema the number of impulses in each volley slightly decreased while the discharge frequency was increased relatively to control values. The latter effect was due to the increased respiratory rate. "Integrated" phrenic nerve activity was also increased, contrary to tidal volume which was diminished. Minute ventilation obtained from pneumotachograph records [f per V(T)] was compared to the neural output in terms of tidal phrenic amplitude times frequency [f per V(T) eq]. The minute ventilation rose insignificantly by 45 +/- 40 percent and neural output was increased on the average by 150 percent.


[Hemoglobin A1c: a new factor in the supervision of diabetes (author's transl)]. Hemoglobin A1c is one of the minor components of normal human hemoglobin. It differs from Hb A by the presence of one molecule of glucose fixed to the N-terminal extremity of every beta chain. It is synthesized from Hb A by a very slow and only slightly reversible mechanism which continuously occurs during the 120 days of the red cell life. Hb A1c represents nearly 5% of total hemoglobin of the normal subject. In patients suffering of diabetes mellitus, its level seems to reflect closely the degree of equilibrium of the disease for 4 to 5 weeks which preceeded the evaluation.


[Analysis of gallstones by infrared spectrophotometry. Advantages and limits of the method (author's transl)]. Numerous clinicians criticise the insufficiency and imprecision, and the incoherency of the analyses of biological calculations by the usual clinical methods and thus frequently avoid prescribing such an examination. The authors propose the application of a physical method, infrared spectrophotometry for the qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of the composition of stones of all origins. They recall the often heterogeneous structure of the stones and emphasise the importance which they attribute of differential analysis by separate zones during careful dissection, the results of which may orient the therapeutic attitude of the clinician. The differentiation of a few crystalline structures and the study of complex mixtures are dealt with in the form of characteristic infrared spectra. The advantages and limits of the method compared with other technics of analysis are discussed.


[Radiocompetitive estimation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in human serum (author's transl)]. A radiocompetitive estimation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in human serum is described. After extraction, a stage of purification by chromatography on a Sephadex LH 20 column permits separation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D from Vitamin D and other metabolites. The reaction of radiocompetition uses as tracer tritiated 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and as source of binding protein, rat renal cytosol. The characteristics of the binding protein and the presence in human plasma of significant quantities of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D render necessary the chromatographic stage. This technic permits one to measure simply and specifically 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the human serum, of which normal levels (average +/- standard deviation) are 12.88 +/- 5.42 microgram/l 3.2.10(-8) + 1.35.10(-8) mol/l).


[Determination of plasma theophylline in the newborn by high resolution gas chromatography and specific detection (author's transl)]. The authors describe a micromethod for the determination of blood concentration of theophylline in premature newborn infants. The method includes the specificity of separation in gas phase chromatography on a glass capillary column, and the sensitivity of thermo-ionic detection. After addition of isobutyl-3-methyl-1-xanthine, which constitutes an internal standard, extraction is performed in acid pH, with the mixture dichloromethane-isopropanol. The derivation consists of an N-pentyl reaction. Analysis was carried out on a glass capillary column SE-30 measuring 75 m x 0.5 mm. The technic used is simple and rapid. Its application in pediatrics has been particularly studied; the limit of quantitative detection was 0.1 mg/l. The plasma sample may be 0.05 ml. The reproducibility is about 2% in usual therapeutic doses. The specificity of the method has been widely debated, in particular the stages of extraction, derivation, separation and detection. The authors are convinced that the analyses requiring systems of specific detection, more and more widely used, require a chromatographic apparatus with a high power of resolution; this is illustrated by an example.


[Estimation of plasma cortisol by radiocompetition or radioimmunoassay. Use of commercial kits (author's transl)]. The estimation of plasma cortisol is carried out in daily practice by numerous laboratories. The use of commercial kits permits a specific, sure and relatively precise estimation. Two kits are studied; the results obtained are compared with those given by a method of measurement of fluorescence. Economic assessment together with estimation of the risks due to manipulation of radioactive substances permit one to judge the relative value of these methods of analysis.


[Total acid phosphatase. Trials of commercial kits and control sera (author's transl)]. The authors estimated the total serum acid phosphatase activity of human serum and that of ten commercial sera using seven commercial kits. The reproducibility and the average of the results, the value of the control sera are given for these seven commercial kits.


Physiologic properties of contraction of the canine cremaster and cranial preputial muscles. Contraction properties of the cremaster and the cranial preputial muscles of 11 mature intact male dogs were investigated. Isometric recordings of muscle contractile tension were performed in situ. Muscle contractions were elicited by stimulating the severed motor nerves. Contraction times of 73.8 ms and 103.2 ms were obtained for the cremaster and the cranial preputial muslces, respectively. Application of repetitive stiumuli produced summation of contractions at low stimulus frequencies. Apparent tetanic fusion and maximum tetanic tension were also observed at relatively low stimulus frequencies, 30 Hz for the cremaster muscle and 28 Hz for the cranial preputial muscle. Optimum length for the cremaster muscle was coincident with its observed in situ resting length (+/- 5 mm), but the optimum length for the cranial preputial muslce deviated by some 20 to 25 mm above the resting length. Possible artifactual errors regarding the cranial preputial muslce's length-tension relationship are discussed.


Ductuli efferentes in the epididymis of boar, goat, ram, bull, and stallion. Dutculi efferentes were studied by microdissection and histologic methods in 2 boar, 6 goat, 5 ram, 25 bull, and 19 stallion epididymides. On the basis of the present findings and the data of others and relating them to the total number of specimens examined in each species, an estimate (narrow range) was made of the minimal-maximal numbers of efferent ductules as follows: dog 13 to 15; cat 14 to 17; boar 14 to 16; goat 18 to 19; ram 17 to 20; bull 13 to 16; and stallion 14 to 17. The histologic appearance of the efferent ductules of the bull, including measurements of their diameter, lumen, and epithelium, was briefly described. Attention was focused on the presence of blind-ending ductules, because it was thought that they might be a factor in the cause of spermiostasis. Blind-ending ductules were found in 1 of 2 porcine, 1 of 6 caprine, 2 of 5 ovine, 8 of 25 bovine, and 13 of 19 equine ductules per affected male were 4 in the boar, 1 in the goat, 2 to 3 in the ram, 1 to 5 in the bull, and 1 to 14 in the stallion. From our work, it appears that in the bull and stallion at least, blind-ending ductules were present in sufficient numbers to be considered a factor in spermiostasis and the infertility resulting from it.


Anthelmintic activity of albendazole in white-tailed deer. Albendazole at dose rates of 11 to 54 mg/kg (mean of 25 +/- 11 SD) of body weight was highly effective (greater than 99%) against Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia odocoilei, O mossi, Trichostrongylus askivali and Nematodirus odocoilei in 22 white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in southern Texas. It was 38% effective against mature and immature deer liver flukes (Fascioloides magna). Toxicoses associated with treatment were not observed. Large numbers of abomasal nematodes (mean of 2,949 +/- 3.147 SD) were recovered from 16 untreated control deer, indicating these may have had a potential impact on herd health and indicating the importance of treatment or other management alternatives.


Variation among cows in the ability of milk to support phagocytosis and in the ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to phagocytose Staphylococcus aureus. Marked variation existed among cows in the ability of their milk to support phagocytosis and in the ability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes isolated from their milk to phagocytose Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, milk samples that supported a low degree of phagocytosis were generally obtained from cows that had a greater occurrence of clinical mastitis per lactation (r = 0.41). Results from this study suggest that variation in the phagocytic defense mechanism of the bovine mammary gland could contribute to the difference in susceptibility to infection by mastitis pathogens.


Hepatic and renal metallothionein concentrations in cows, swine, and chickens given cadmium and lead in feed. Dairy cows, growing swine, and laying chickens were given supplemental cadmium (Cd) at concentrations of approximately 2 and 10 ppm in feed as cadmium chloride and were given lead at concentrations of 5 and 25 ppm in feed as lead acetate for 12 to 24 weeks. Metallothionein (MT) and Cd concentrations increased more in renal than in hepatic tissues of the Cd-treated animals. The hepatic MT values in pigs and chickens and the renal MT values in all species continued to increase for several weeks after Cd feeding was stopped. A significant correlation between Cd and MT concentrations of the hepatic and the renal tissues was observed, except in bovine liver. The feeding of lead did not have any effect on the hepatic or the renal MT concentrations in cows, pigs, and chickens. Dietary Cd and possibly some other metals, but not lead, may be determinants of concentration of metal binding protein in tissues.


Sporotrichosis in a Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). A severe necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis caused by Sporothrix schenckii was diagnosed in a Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) that had been in captivity for about 3 years. Histopathologic and electron microscopic studies, as well as fluorescent antibody techniques, were used to identify S schenckii as the etiologic agent.


Renal adenoma in an Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). A solitary renal adenoma was an incidental finding at the pole of a kidney of an aged male Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) which had been captured in the Gulf of Mexico near St. Petersburg Beach, Fla, and maintained at Marine Attractions, Inc, St. Petersburg. The only other significant findings were widespread cutaneous lesions of Lobo disease.


Pressure-volume relationships of the normal canine eye. Changes in intraocular volume and pressure induced by Schiøtz tonometry were measured and utilized to calculate the in vivo rigidity of the normal canine eye. Rigidity was found to be dependent upon intraocular pressure (IOP) and tonometer weight; rigidity assumed a parabolic relationship to IOP, decreasing from 0.0754 at 5 mm of Hg IOP to 0.0274 at 55 mm of Hg IOP and gradually increasing to 0.0333 at 100 mm of Hg IOP.


Isolation of previously unreported serotypes of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from swine. Serologic, biochemical, and pathogenic characteristics of 11 porcine isolants of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae that could not be placed in any of 16 established serotypes, were examined. On the basis of double-diffusion percipitin reactions, isolants were divided into 4 serologic variants, given serotype designations 17, 18, 19, and 20. Biochemical activity of the isolants was typical of E rhusiopathiae. One or more isolants of each serologic variant were pathogenic for both mice and swine.


Survey for infection with Onchocerca cervicalis in horses in eastern United States. This survey was performed to study the prevalence of infection with Onchocerca cervicalis in horses in the eastern United States. In the course of the survey, 121 horses, 1 mule and 1 donkey were examined. Microfilariae were recovered from 74 (61%) of the horses examined. All infected horses showed microfilariae of O cervicalis in the umbilical sample, 62 (84%) were infected in the eyelid and, in 36 (49%), microfilariae had invaded the eye. The mule was unifected and the donkey was infected with O cervicalis.


Mammary gland exposure of cows to Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis injected into the mammary gland was transported to the supramammary lymph nodes in 5 of 6 cows and to the intestine of 1 cow. The bacillus caused hypersensitivity to johnin and stimulated the production of complement-fixing antibodies. Apparently, the bacillus is not a cause mastitis.


Isolation of bovine adenovirus type 1 without an adenovirus-associated virus. This report describes the isolation and identification of a strain of bovine adenovirus type 1 from a cow in a herd that had undergone an episode of diarrhea and abortions. This strain of bovine adenovirus type 1 did not agglutinate either guinea pig or human 0 erythrocytes, and no 20-nm virus particles were evident by electron microscopy, further indicating that it was not contaminated by adenovirus-associated virus.


[A case of cryptogenetic Frey's syndrome (author's transl)]. A case is reported of gustatory sudation of the cheek without previous parotid lesions. The results of pharmacological tests confirmed the neurogenic origin, blocked by atropine and stimulated by A.C. The published literature is reviewed and a tentative explanation suggested, based on the physiopathological mechanisms involved in Freis syndrome, that the lesion was of neuritic type but had not been recognized.


[Auricular consequences of lightning (author's transl)]. Auricular accidents provoqued by lightning and induced by telephone are extremely rare. The authors of this paper relate the case of a young lady suffering from an inflammation of the external auditive canal and of an irritation of the tympanic membrane with an perception's hypacusis of 30 db. A physiological explanation is proposed and two factors come into account:--The acoustic traumatism induced by the thunder;--The burn produced by the electrical current.


[Undifferentiated cancers of the thyroid gland. Value of adriblastin]. About 21 cases, the authors recall general characteristics of undifferentiated cancers of thyroid gland. They underline the difference between undifferentiated trabecular cancers and anaplastic cancers of which evolution is highly malign and explosive. A few observations confirm interest of Adriblastin associated with a wide surgery.


[Blood serum biochemistry of ponies (author's transl)]. A wide blood serum biochemical profile, concerning especially blood lipids has been performed in 31 apparently healthy Shetland and Potiock ponies. These blood standard values will be useful for studies on ponies' hyperlipemia.


Cell-wall proteins of Staphylococcus aureus : a kinetic study of release by lysostaphin. The kinetics of cell-wall hydrolysis of Staphylococcus aureus (strain Cowan I) by lysostaphin was studied by turbidity, quantitative determination of hexosamines, phosphorus, total proteins, protein A and by electron microscopy. In our experimental conditions, the lytic activity of lysostaphin was very fast and no characteristic cell-wall structures could be seen after five minutes. The release of hexosamines, phosphorus and protein A was synchronous and could be recorded even though turbidity had become stable. At the end of the hydrolysis, the totality of these components was solubilized. Total proteins represented about 14% of the cell-wall dry weight. During hydrolysis protein A was the only protein solubilized.


Bovine immunoglobulins and brucellosis. 3. Activity of IgG, IgG2 and IgM versus different commercial batches of Rose Bengal antigen. The serological diagnosis of bovine Brucellosis by the Rose Bengal test has been disputed on account of the amount of active immunoglobulins and the results obtained in field trials. In order to try and explain these discrepancies, we have compared the activity of different commercial preparations of the Rose Bengal antigen for purified IgG1, IgG2 OR Igm dies. Two antigens which give the same titer for the Ig1 differ by a factor 8 in the titration of the IgM. Some antigens titer the IgG2, others, do not at all, or very little. Heifers in the 6th month of gestation were experimentally infected with Brucella abortus and half the animals showed "positive" from the 12th day with one antigen, whereas with another, they did not register until the 30th day. Heifers vaccinated at the age of 6-8 months with the B19 which still react to the Rose Bengal test 14 months later are 4 times more numerous with one of the antigens than with another.


Copper and zinc deficiencies treatement by intramuscular injections in sheep. In two experiments, compared to 10 control, 10 ewes were injected intramuscularly either with metallic copper dust or zinc oxide, suspended in purified olive oil. Copper injection raised the plasma and hepatic copper of the treated ewes. Similarly, injected zinc oxide produced a rise in plasma zinc. These increases started respectively on the 6th and 3rd day after the injection and lasted till the 21st or 17th day. No detrimental inflammation appeared. This form of treatment is therefore efficient against trace element deficiencies without any side effect.


Copper deficiency prophylaxis in grazing sheep by copper oxide injection. 21 ewes weighing about 46 kg were transfered to grass on a copper deficient Rye Grass pasture. 11 ewes were injected intramuscularly with 60 mg of copper as copper oxide (CuO) suspended in 5 ml of purified olive oil. The concentration of copper in the plasma of control ewes declined during the 67 days of experiment and three became copper deficient. The injected ewes were protected against deficiency and had higher concentration of copper in plasma than the controls throughout the experiment. At slaughter the amount of copper in the liver of the treated animals was significantly higher than in the untreated controls. The copper dose used (60) mg) is probably a maximum for adult sheep since one of the injected ewes at slaughter had a liver copper content of 1060 micrograms/g D.M. which approaches the toxic limit.


On the control of caecal motility in sheep. The electrical activity of the terminal ileum and of the caecum was recorded continuously from chronically implanted electrodes in 8 ewes fed on hay ad libitum. The caecum even as an isolated pouch showed a cyclic activity closely linked tho the frequency of myoelectric complexes on the terminal ileum. This phenomenon disappeared in the absence of myoelectric complexes. The distention of an isolated caecal pouch induced local changes in the electrical activity with disappearance of the cyclic activity. It is concluded that two factors are involved in the control of caecal motility, one originating at the distal ileum and the other related to the endoluminal pressure.


[Pathogenic study of turkey coccidiosis due to Eimeria adenoeides (author's transl)]. Male turkeys were infected with Eimeria adenoeides at approximately 15 or more days old. They received either a single inoculation or daily infections comprising a constant dose of oocytsts. The observed decrease in growth was largely due to a lower than normal intake of food. A comparison of single and multiple infections showed that the duration of the observed symptoms hardly differed in either case. Changes in certain blood parameters which occured during the course of the disease were similar to the changes seen in chickens with caecal coccidiosis. The persistence of these changes following repeated infections revealed the action of a parasite on digestive function which is not found in chickens infected with E. tenella. Modifications of the caecal bacterial flora were also observed (an increase in the populations of enterobacterial and anaerobes) during the course of the development of the parasitic disorder. Repeated infections prolonged the duration of this phenomenon. The similarity of those variations to those observed in the chicken with caecal coccidiosis suggests a fundamental role of some bacteria in the expression of the pathogenic potential of E. adenoeides.


Behavioural and pituitary-adrenal characteristics of pigs differing by their susceptibility to the malignant hyperthermia syndrome induced by halothane anesthesia. 1. Behavioural measures. Behavioural responses were compared in Pietrain pigs and in Large White pigs differing by their susceptibility to the malignant hyperthermia syndrome induced by halothane. Non reactive Pietran pigs (P--) displayed a higher level of locomotor activity in a new environment than either reactive Pietrain pigs (P+) or Large White pigs. Pietran pigs performed better in a latent learning proceudre (latency of approach or feeding response, after exploration of the new environment) and in a continuound P-- did not reach significance, but P+ pigs tended to be superior to P-- animals. The three groups did not differ on a measure of passive avoidance. These results suggest that Large White pigs are characterized by a lower ability to initiate active responding when confronted with aversive events. The same would be true when Pietrain positive pigs are compared with Pietrain negative pigs, although to a lesser extent.


The influence of dietary sulphur, molybdate and copper on the absorption, excretion and plasma fraction levels of 99Mo in sheep. The effect of increased dietary sulphur, copper and molybdate on the metabolism of 99Mo administered via the rumen or duodenum was examined. Duodenally administered 99MoO4= was efficiently and rapidly absorbed and excreted via the urine; dietary modifications did not alter this pattern although increased dietary S increased the excretion rate. The passge of 99MoO4= through the rumen led to chemical modification, so that, particularly at high S levels, most of the radioactivity remained in the feces; increased dietary Mo led to increased absorption whereas increased copper decreased absorption. Incorportion of radioactivity into the TCA insoluble plasma fraction was shown with increased dietary S and particularly when both dietary S and Mo were increased. The compatiblity of the results with the hypothesis of ruminal thiomolybdate formation and subsequent reaction with dietary or tissue copper is discussed.


Peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone in the bitch with pyometra. In the present study, 35 bitches (various breeds and ages) with pyometra were involved. Blood sampling (jugular vein) took place every day between examination and hysterectomy. All the bitches examined after 60 days post-oestrus had a low progesterone concentration (about 1 ng/ml). Along the 27 bitches observed before that time, 22 had a high mean level (about 8 ng/ml). By contrast 5 of them had low levels. As a whole these results suggest that: 1) There is no evidence of an essentially high or prolonged progesterone secretion in pyometra. 2) Luteolysis occuring normally about 60 days post ovulation is not postponed by this affection and 3) In some animals, early luteolysis seems to occur. Therefore it cannot be concluded that progesterone has an indispensalbe role in polymetra.


Spondylodiscitis and ankylosing spondylitis: HLA typing and nosological implications. Nine cases from among 64 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are described. In addition to bilateral sacroiliitis these cases had a peculiar type of spondylodiscitis characterised by quite diffuse and marked sclerosis of multiple vertebral bodies, with only minimal erosions of the adjacent vertebral plates while classical syndesmophytosis was absent. The antigen HLA-B27 was found only in 1 of these 9 cases. This type of spondylodiscitis could discriminate among all the patients with AS a subgroup with a peculiar clinical pattern and a probably distinctive pathological mechanism.


Sacroiliitis and HLA. A clinical and genetical study. Among 39 patients (23 males, 16 females) with sacroiliitis (SI) 17 were HLA-B27 positive. The female/male ratio in the B27-positive group was 2/15. Seventy-four first-degree relatives of 26 probands were also investigated. A high occurrence of SI (20%) was observed in the families of B27-positive probands compared with only 3.7% in the families of B27-negative probands. In the former families SI occurred only in B27-positive subjects with an earlier onset of symptoms and a male prevalence. In the latter, the disease showed a later onset and a lack of male preponderance. The nosological and prognostic relevance of the B27 typing is stressed.


Subclasses IgA1 and IgA2 in serum and synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis and reactive synovitis of local origin. Subclasses IgA1 and IgA2 in serum were examined in 40 patients (28 cases of rheumatoid arthritis and 12 cases of reactive synovitis of local origin) and also in synovial fluid of the knee joint in 17 of these patients. The levels of IgA1 and IgA2 in serum were statistically significantly higher than in synovial fluid in both groups of patients (P = 0.0237--0.0018), but significant correlations between serum and synovial fluid for IgA1 (R = 0.8855, P = 0.0010) and for IgA2 (r = 0.7630, P = 0.0124) were found only in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. A percentage evaluation revealed a significant disproportion (P = 0.0028) in favour of IgA1 in synovial fluid during rheumatoid arthritis. The analysis of proportions of IgA subclasses and rheumatoid factor has shown no significant relationships.


Lateral subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint in rheumatoid arthritis. Involvement of the cervical spine by rheumatoid disease is common, but lateral subluxation at the atlanto-axial level has not been recorded previously. The condition is due to asymmetrical erosion of the lateral atlanto-axial facet joint, and may be complicated by collapse of the lateral mass of the axis. The condition should be suspected in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who present with occipital, auricular, and/or facial pain.


Radiological study of cervical spine and hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of 15 years' duration: an assessment of the effects of corticosteroid treatment. Radiological abnormalities in the cervical spine were assessed in detail in a group of 62 patients with rheumatoid arthritis of approximately 15 years' duration, of whom 33 had been treated with corticosteroids and 29 had not. The 10 criteria of damage described by Bland (1974), which include subluxation, correlated as a whole with the severity of the disease in general but not with the duration of corticosteroid treatment. Subluxation alone, whether assessed in the cervical spine as a whole or in the atlanto-axial joint alone, was less closely related to disease activity, was on average greater in patients treated with corticosteroids, and tended to increase in relation to the duration of treatment. Corticosteroid treatment thus tends to produce, over the course of years, a degree of subluxation in addition to that caused by the disease itself. Radiological signs of damage to the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and carpal bones correlated with both the degree of damage and the degree of subluxation in the cervical spine as well as with corticosteroid treatment. Mutilans deformity at the MCP joints was associated with subluxation in the neck and with corticosteroid treatment.


Pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. Several series have suggested that pulmonary function abnormalities are common in systemic lupus erythematosus. However, only isolated studies have attempted to relate these abnormalities to immunological aspects of the diseases. In the present study respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests, and immunological data were reviewed in 22 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Seventeen subjects had either clinical evidence or abnormalities of lung function suggestive of pulmonary involvement. A restrictive ventilatory defect or reduction in pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was demonstrated in 14 of the patients only 4 of whom were dyspnoeic. There was no correlation between pulmonary involvement, co-existent renal lupus, and immunological abnormality.


Arthroscopy in the diagnosis of chondromalacia patellae. Chondromalacia patellae is difficult to diagnosis clinically with accuracy. In order to clarify the relevant symptoms and signs, 78 patients presenting with a clinical diagnosis of chondromalacia were examined by arthroscopy. In 49% of the knees no abnormalities were found. Presenting symptoms were similar in the normal and abnormal groups. Physical signs were more helpful in diagnosis and it is considered that the presence of an effusion, quadriceps wasting, and patello-femoral crepitus are the most important clinical findings in the diagnosis of chondromalacia patellae. The arthroscope is valuable instrument in establishing the diagnosis of chondromalacia patellae especially in the teenage female.


The effect of zinc on alkaline phosphatase activity in rheumatoid synovial tissue. To examine the reported beneficial effect of zinc in rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid synovial tissue has been maintained in vitro in non-proliferative culture with or without zinc sulphate in the culture medium. Alkaline phosphatase activity was measured by microdensitometry of the cytochemical reaction in cryostat sections; the activity in blood vessels was measured separately from that in the supporting tissue below the synovial surface. Zinc enhanced this activity optimally at concentrations of between 10(-5) and 10(-4) mol/l.


Joint fluid cytology in Reiter's disease. The diagnostic value of the finding of cytophagocytic macrophages (CPM) in the joint fluid of patients with Reiter's disease has been re-examined. CPM were found in 46% of Reiter's disease fluids and in 45% of other inflammatory knee joint fluids. Higher CPM scores, on a 4-point grading, were commoner in Reiter's disease but the difference was not statistically significant. Further, although the graded polymorphonuclear leucocyte phagocytosis shown by CPM was greater in Reiter's disease this also was not significant. It is concluded that the presence of CPM in joint fluid is of little discriminating value.


Jaccoud's arthropathy. A case report and necropsy study. We present a case of Jaccoud's arthropathy in a 59-year-old woman. She developed painless correctable ulnar deviation at the metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands following 4 attacks of rheumatic fever. Radiology did not show the hook lesions previously described, but we do not consider this sign essential for the diagnosis. There was no clinical evidence of rheumatoid arthritis. We were able to examine 3 complete joints from the left little finger at necropsy. Pathological examination of this kind has been possible only once before. The histological findings were fibrous thickening of the joint capsule, secondary degenerative changes, presumably due to longstanding joint deformity, and no evidence of significant synovial pathology.


Movement aftereffects in the visual cortex. Transient effects of prolonged stimulation with moving gratings were studied in single units of the cat striate cortex. In most units, differential adaptation aftereffects of opposite directions of motion could be demonstrated. These results correlate with the psychophysical movement aftereffects.


Possible role of acetylcholine in the mediation of non-retinal input to the lateral geniculate nucleus region. In these series of experiments, the effects of acetylcholine and related substances administered by iontophoresis or by intravenous injection, have been examined on neurones of the lateral geniculate nucleus region to see whether non-retinal inputs on these cells use acetylcholine as a mediator. Quantitative analysis has shown that the somatic induced facilitation of the visual responses evoked in the lateral geniculate nucleus is suppressed after intravenous administration of atropine. This observation favors the intervention of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the mediation of non-retinal inputs to the lateral geniculate nucleus region.


On the question of neuronal plasticity in the mature visual cortex. In adult cats one eye was surgically immobilized by sectioning the eye muscles, or inverted by 180 degrees rotation, or pattern-deprived by suturing the eyelids for 1-12 weeks. Orientation and direction selectivity of cortical cells and binocularity were preserved; no shift in the ocular dominance distribution toward either eye was found. The visual cortex of adult cats is therefore not susceptible to changes in the content of the visual input.


Role of Siamese cat's crossed and uncrossed retinal fibres in pattern discrimination and interocular transfer. Siamese and ordinary cats were monocularly tested in pattern discriminations and visual perimetry following unilateral optic tract section. While ordinary cats exhibited similar performances when tested with either eye, in Siamese cats the eye contralateral to the sectioned optic tract was practically blind. Thus, the Siamese cat's uncrossed visual pathways are not able to subserve either form or ambient vision. The nature of such a loss is discussed.