Human performance under hot thermal condition of work environment. In the summer of 1950, 1963, 1966 and 1973, repeated surveys were carried out on thermal conditions in various industries. Meanwhile technical innovations began to take hold gradually in Japan, causing, in major industries with hot work places, attenuation of heat exposure during work and reduction of the energy expenditure of workers by the replacing of heavy muscular work with machines. Comparison of data of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s disclosed appreciable improvement of the thermal conditions in major industries which could be attributed to technical progress in recent years. An examination was made of the propriety of the existing legal provision on permissible threshold limit, of 37 degrees C in the coal mine in Japan. Experiments were conducted to investigate changes in some physiological functions and subjective feeling of coal miners during moderate muscular work in a hot and humid experimental gallery. The experimental results seemed to suggest that 34 degrees C of dry bulb air temperature might be a considerably severe condition for coal miners, even in cases of intermittent exposure or continuous exposure with rather frequent work intervals, working under conditions of high humidity and low air velocity at a moderate work rate.


Evaporative heat loss and clothing.

Evaporative heat loss and clothing. Several experiments have been conducted on the effect of clothing on evaporative heat loss. 1) The movement of sweat from production to evaporation was observed in nude subjects, on subjects wearing underwear and underdrawers, and on subjects wearing two layers of clothing during a two-hour heat exposure period. The percentage of evaporated sweat was found to be inversely proportional to total sweat loss. When this relation was taken into consideration, it was revealed that the percentage of evaporated sweat was smaller if more layers of clothing were added, or if water-proof or vapor-proof materials were added. 2) Using a so-called "sweating cylinder," the cooling power of water dissipated from the surface of the cylinder was measured when the cylinder was covered with one, two, or three layers of various kinds of cloths. The cooling efficiency (actual evaporative cooling/latent heat of total water lost) was about 95% when the cylinder was uncovered. As more layers of covering cloth were added, the cooling efficiency became less. When the covering cloth touched the wet surface of the cylinder directly and absorbed water, the cooling efficiency was remarkably reduced because a large portion of the water absorbed in the cloth remained unevaporated.


Body thermal drain under hyperbaric dry heliox environment with undersea excursion dive. A series of undersea experiments were undertaken at the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center since 1972 in order to investigate thermal drain due to higher heat conductivity of helium which is essential as a breathing medium in deep-sea diving substituting for nitrogen in the air. While the less narcotic effect and the low density of the gas is adequate for maintaining better respiratory functions of divers, distortion of the diver's voice due to low density and thermal drain should be overcome. Measuring body heat loss in a hyperbaric dry environment, wet pot thermistors and heat flux transducers were applied at four to seven points on the body surface before, during, and after hyperbaric exposure to 11 ATA. As a result it was acknowledged that heat loss from the body surface, in hyperbaric heliox environment, was greater than that at the 1 ATA condition. Further, additional heat loss during immersion proved significant. The other modifying factors revealed were ambient water temperature, kinds of diving suits or underwear, and others.


Heat stress upon undressed man due to different combinations of elevated environmental temperature, air humidity, and metabolic heat production: a critical comparison of heat stress indices. In several 100 climatic chamber experiments young healthy acclimatized men were exposed successively to combinations of ambient temperature and air humidity that were varied systematically from day to day within the range of 15 to 57 degrees C and 8 to 97% relative humidity, with air speed kept constant at 0.3 m/s. The subjects who were nearly nude were exposed at rest and at different treadmill work levels (metabolic rates up to about 1350 kJ/h). Each exposure lasted between two and six h. It was found that body temperatures and heart rate, but not loss of sweat, were suitable criteria for indicating equal stress conditions. Equations were derived describing those climatic combinations which were equivalent at the various activity levels of each subject. The slope of the respective equivalence curves plotted in psychrometric charts varied systematically with work level. The curves obtained for various subjects at any given activity level showed similarities, so that the calculation of an equivalence system common to all subjects seemed to be justified. A detailed comparison of these results with previous indices is presented. The combinations of ambient temperatures and humidities that were found to be equivalent under the given conditions of physical activity corresponded particularly well with the Index of Physiological Effect (ROBINSON et al.). There was also good agreement with the P4SR Index (MCARDLE et al.). The combinations corresponded with other indices (Heat Stress Index of BELDING and HATCH, Index of Thermal Stress of GIVONI) and with Basic Effective Temperature and Wet-bulb Globe Temperature only within limited ranges of climate depending upon work level. A procedure is presented which allows one to evaluate in terms of physiological responses how far various indices describe equivalent stress conditions correctly.


A delay-scheduling model for patients using a walk-in clinic. Clinics receiving unscheduled visits experience wide fluctuations in the number of patients present at any one time, due to random arrival of patients and variations in the time needed for the evaluation and treatment. This can cause periods of congestion and long patient waiting times. Using a flexible technique for "delay scheduling," a study was conducted to determine the most efficient use of limited physician resources in the management of patients using a walk-in clinic. Delay scheduling makes it possible to shift work load from periods of high congestion to other times without compromising the walk-in nature of the clinic. A computer simulation model was used to evaluate the clinic performance with different physician staffing patterns and different rules for delay scheduling. The model was validated using actual data from the walk-in clinic and the results implemented. The delay scheduling and staffing changes resulted in reduction of manpower by 10% while significantly reducing the clinic-accountable waiting time.


Distributed processing techniques: interface design for interactive information sharing. The Information Systems Division of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has successfully designed and implemented a set of generalized interface data-handling routines that control message traffic between a satellite minicomputer in a clinical laboratory and a large main-frame computer. A special queue status inquiry transaction has also been developed that displays the current message-processing backlog and other system performance information. The design and operation of these programs are discussed in detail, with special emphasis on the message-queuing and verification techniques required in a distributed processing environment.


Relationships among HMO hospital utilization, physician visits, and years operational. Statistical tests are performed on the membership of HMOs for which data are available (N = 124) to determine if (1) hospital utilization by HMO members is correlated with physician visits, (2) hospital utilization is correlated with the number of years a HMO is operational, and (3) physician visits is correlated with the number of years a HMO is operational. Statistical tests indicate that there is no correlation among the three pairs of variables.


Unlimited volumes of laboratory data: a confusing and diagnostically deceptive product of modern technology. The large volumes of laboratory data currently available in clinical practice can lead to erroneous conclusions. Our current statistical interpretation of these data is univariate (one variable at a time) and often not age- and sex-corrected. Using an optimal technique of multivariate analysis, a SMAC profile of 19 tests performed on normal subjects resulted in over a 500% improvement in defining the reference range. Using physiologic subsets of the SMAC profile for patients, improvements in interpretation of between 100% and 300% are possible. Results indicate a serious clinical problem that will require modification of laboratory reports using modern technology as an adjunct for diagnostic medicine.


Establishing a multivariate clinical laboratory data base. A regional or hospital-based "reference" value study is well within the range of every clinical laboratory. A program is described that samples one to two "health" subjects each working day under tightly controlled conditions. Sixty-seven variables are tested simultaneously to provide univariate age and sex ranges, and variance/covariance matrices from which associated correlation coefficients are obtained. This ongoing "reference" value program offers essential information for both univariate and multivariate interpretations along with validation and quality control for certain methods within the clinical laboratory.


On-line storage, retrieval, and evaluation of long-term electrocardiographic monitoring data. A set of on-line computer programs has been designed and implemented for the acquisition and long-term storage, retrieval, and evaluation of Holter monitoring data. The physician interpreting Holter tapes enters his findings in the computer system using an on-line remote terminal located in the heart station. The programs are available practically around the clock and allow reviewing of individual cases, preparation of printed reports, and fast evaluation of the presence or absence of a number of common findings in the entire data base. Approximately 800 cases have been entered since the initiation of this project in early 1977.


The second component of complement (C2) as an index of hereditary angioneurotic edema. Measurements of C2 hemolytic activity were performed in the sera of 13 patients with Hereditary Angioneurotic Edema. Prior to treatment, C2 values correlated with the severity of the disease in each patient. During androgen therapy with Danazol, C2 measurements reflected the clinical benefit of the drug more accurately than C4 levels, thus explaining the effectiveness of low drug doses. This study also suggests that breakdown products of C2 may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of the edema.


Immune complexes and diabetic microangiopathy. Soluble immune complexes (AgAb) as detected and quantitated by the solid phase Clq assay (Clq-SP) were found to be increased in (a) long-duration diabetics with proliferative retinopathy and (b) short duration diabetics with early onset of retinopathy irrespective of whether they were treated with insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA), in comparison to a normal population. No such increases were observed in diabetics of comparable duration without retinopathy. The trend for long-term diabetics to show an increased prevalence of AgAb according to the severity of retinopathy was statistically significant. Detection and quantitation of AgAb by the Raji cell assay (RAJI) gave comparable results although the differences were less pronounced and fell short of statistical significance. AgAb as detected by either method in insulin-treated diabetics could not be correlated with insulin antibodies. These findings suggest that AgAb, not necessarily comprised of insulin and anti-insulin antibodies, may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy.


Partial reversal of the cellular immune defect in common variable immunodeficiency with indomethacin. We administered indomethacin (25 mg q.i.d.) to two patients with common variable immunodeficiency and measured the effect on their depressed cellular immune responses. The in vitro response of both patients' lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin increased during indomethacin administration. Both patients were anergic to skin testing before treatment and responded to two of four skin tests during treatment with indomethacin. Thus indomethacin administration in vivo appears to enhance the cellular immune respone, paralleling its previously described effects in vitro.


Human colostral cytotoxicity: I. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against Herpes simplex viral-infected cells mediated by colostral cells. Human colostral cells in combination with antibody were able to destroy Herpes simplex virus-infected cells (Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity--ADCC) while demonstrating very low spontaneous (non-antibody mediated) cytotoxicity (SCT). The colostral cells involved in ADCC required a high effector to target ratio, were mononuclear, adherent and totally inhibited by latex particles. These results demonstrate that a subpopulation of human colostral macrophages can mediate ADCC against virus-infected target cells. The biologic implications of intact colostral cell ADCC and low SCT in regard to protecting the neonate from infection and maternal cell mediated gastrointestinal damage are discussed.


An in vivo assessment of in vitro sensitized human lymphocytes using athymic, "nude" mice. Cytotoxic lymphocytes were generated in vitro by co-cultivation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes with cultured human tumor cells. Their cytotoxic action was demonstrated in vivo in immunologically deficient "nude" mice.


The immune response of the genital tract of the female rabbit following systemic and local immunization. Female rabbits were immunized with a model antigen, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), either locally in the reproductive tract or systemically via the intramuscular route. A sensitive immunoassay was developed to detect antibodies to the HRP in both serum and reproductive tract flushings. Systemic immunization resulted in circulating and reproductive tract antibodies of the IgG class, but none of the IgA class. Local immunization produced IgA and IgG antibodies in the reproductive tract, and also IgG antibodies in serum. Cell-mediated immunity was examined by circulating lymphocyte transformation and skin sensitivity to HRP. Cell-mediated immune responses occurred after systemic immunization, but not after local immunization. The relevance of the results to immunological methods of fertility control is discussed.


Effects of threatening communications and mothers health beliefs on weight change in obese children. A field experiment was designed to test the effects on weight change in obese children of (1) communications varying in threat and (2) health beliefs of the child's mother, in terms of perceived vulnerability to health threats, the efficacy of taking actions, and barriers to acting. Treatments involved messages containing more or less threatening material regarding obesity, plus a control (no communication) condition. Beliefs were assessed by means of personal interviews. All mothers and children received dietary counseling and were scheduled for four follow-up visits, which included weighing. The 182 participants were from low-income areas served by a large hospital pediatric clinic. High-threat messages yielded the most consistent weight loss, followed by low threat and control. In addition, both general beliefs concerning health and specific beliefs about obesity and dieting predicted weight loss. Both messages and mothers' beliefs acted together on keeping appointments and making efforts to comply. Results are discussed in terms of the effects of threats and health belief-behavior linkages.


Components of the type A coronary-prone behavior pattern and cardiovascular responses to psychomotor performance challenge. The present study tested the general hypothesis that behavioral attributes most predictive of the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in epidemiological research would also be most predictive of sympathetic autonomic nervous system (ANS) arousal in response to performance challenges. Subjects (n = 50) were challenged to respond rapidly and accurately on three tasks involving either perceptual-motor or cognitive skills, while the experimenter monitored blood pressure, heart rate, and galvanic skin potential. The hypothesis was generally confirmed in that (1) type A subjects showed significantly greater cardiovascular changes indicative of sympathetic ANS arousal than type B subjects, (2) the Rosenman and Friedman structured interview was a better predictor of this arousal than the Jenkins Activity Survey, as is the case in CHD, and (3) the stylistic and behavioral components of the type A pattern (as defined by the structured interview) which are most predictive of CHD were also found to be the best predictors of challenge-induced sympathetic ANS arousal. The implications of these results for refinements in the definition, assessment, and modification of coronary-prone behavior are discussed.


A comparison of behavioral and traditional treatment for middle-income problem drinkers. Groups of middle-income outpatient problem drinkiers were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: a multicomponent positive reinforcement procedure emphasizing moderation, or "traditional" denial-confrontation therapy emphasizing abstinence. There were no significant differences between participants assigned to the two procedures with respect to pretreatment characteristics. Participants reduced their alcohol consumption significantly in both treatments. Behavioral participants reduced alcohol consumption significantly during therapy, whereas traditional participants reduced significantly prior to therapy. Significantly more traditional participants dropped out of therapy than did behavioral. The data suggested that the effects of traditional therapy were mixed, helping those participants who were receptive, driving out those who were not; moreover, reduced consumption seemed to be more the result of compliance with initial therapist demands (made during the screening period) than the effect of denial-confrontation in subsequent therapy. Behavioral treatment was more successful in several indicators of outcome; the improvement observed seemed to be attributable to the active therapeutic techniques employed.


Changing the coronary-prone (type A) behavior pattern in a nonclinical population. This report presents the design and initial findings of an attempt to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in healthy men by modifying their type A behavior pattern. A group of 27 professional and executive volunteers, aged 39--59, who had been medically assessed as free from coronary heart disease, were randomly assigned to brief psychotherapy and behavior therapy groups. Each treatment group met for 14 sessions over a period of 5 months. Pre- and postmeasures of physiological (serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, blood pressure) and psychological (anxiety, psychological symptoms, satisfaction) variables were taken. Results indicate that both treatment groups changed in the desired direction on most of the psychological and physiological variables without apparent change in habits of diet, exercise, smoking, or work load. The findings are provocative, but only tentative, leaving questions of clinical validity, durability, and generalizability unresolved. Nevertheless, they indicate that this approach to modifying type A behavior may reduce coronary risk and therefore warrants further exploration.


Effects of alpha-bungarotoxin and reversible cholinergic ligands on normal and denervated mammalian skeletal muscle. alpha-Bungarotoxin (BuTX; 5 micrograms/ml) completely blocked the endplate potential and extrajunctional acetylcholine (ACh) sensitivity of surface fibers in normal and chronically denervated mammalian muscles, respectively, in about 35 min. A 0.72 +/- 0.033 mV amplitude endplate potential returned in normal muscle fibers after 6.5 hr. of washout of alpha-BuTX, and an ACh sensitivity of 41.02 +/- 3.95 mV/nC was recorded in denervated muscle after 6.5 hr of wash (control being 1215 +/- 197 mV/nC). A two-step reaction of BuTX with binding sites which may allosterically interact is postulated. Several pharmacologic differences were noted between the ACh receptors at the normal endplate and those appearing extrajunctionally following denervation. In normal innervated muscles exposed to BuTX in the presence of 20 microM carbamylcholine or decamethonium, washout of both drugs restored twitch to control levels within 2 hr. Endplate potentials large enough to initiate action potentials were also recorded in most surface fibers. In contrast, these agents, in much higher concentrations (50 microM), were almost ineffective in preventing BuTX blockade of ACh sensitivity in denervated muscle. Hexamethonium (10 and 50 mM) depressed neuromuscular transmission and blocked the action of BuTX in normal muscle in a dose-dependent fashion. On the extrajunctional receptors, hexamethonium (50 mM) was ineffective in protecting against BuTX. We may conclude that at the normal endplate region there are two distinct populations of ACh receptors, both of which react with cholinergic ligands and BuTX, but that a small population (representing congruent to 1% of the total) reacts with BuTX reversibly. Our findings further suggest a clear distinction between ACh receptors located at the normal endplate region and those of the extrajunctional region of the chronically denervated mammalian muscle.


Changes in amino acid transport during red cell maturation. We studied amino acid transport in sheep red blood cells (RBCs) as a function of cell maturation. Transport of amino acids is decreased strikingly in the mature mammalian RBC compared to the immature reticulocyte. Blood obtained 5-6 days after massive bleeding was fractionated on dextran gradients. In the mature erythrocyte amino acids are taken up only slowly, and in the normal experimental interval (60 min) the concentration in the cell does not reach that of the medium. In contrast, the reticulocyte-rich (top) fraction (50-90% reticulocyte) accumulates certain amino acids, particularly histidine, methionine, and leucine. The underlying process is ATP-independent and Na+-insensitive, and has properties consistent with exchange diffusion, i.e., accelerated uptake or efflux when unlabeled solute is present on the trans side. The process is apparent not only in intact cells but also in resealed ghosts. The decrease in activity of amino acid transport is a function of red cell maturation. Thus it can be shown that (a) separation of cells according to their density 1, 2, and 3 weeks after bleeding leads to progressively lower amino acid transport activity with increasing cell density; and (b) during in vitro long-term incubation at 37 degrees C of reticulocyte-rich, unfractionated blood (5-10% reticulocytes), amino acid transport decreases while red cell integrity is maintained, as evidenced by the retention of a normal K+ gradient and the absence of hemolysis. The progressive loss is seen with resealed ghosts as well as with intact cells. Not all the amino acids examined participate in this exchange process. The most actively exchanged are histidine, leucine, methionine, and phenylalanine. Glycine, proline, arginine, and a-amino isobutyric acid do not participate in the exchange process.


Ouabain binding and potassium transport in young and old populations of human red cells. Human red blood cells were separated according to density by centrifugation through mixtures of phthalate esters. The densest 20% of the erythrocyte population (old cells) had reduced volume and water content compared to the lightest 20% of the cells (young cells). Corpuscular hemoglobin content was unchanged. Young cells had 50% more potassium (K+) than old cells, but their total intracellular concentration was only slightly higher, old cells had a small increase in sodium (Na+) concentration. Active K+ transport of young cells was 37% higher than that of old cells. [3H] + Ouabain binding revealed that this difference was the result of more K+ pump sites on young cells, which bound 530 ouabain molecules per cell at 100% K+ pump inhibition, as compared to 400 for old cells; unseparated cells bound 450-500 molecules. The relative rates of ouabain binding were identical for the two cell types. Old cells exhibited a greater passive permeability to K+, having a rate coefficient for ouabain-insensitive K+ influx 1.8 times that of young cells. There is evidence to suggest that in the face of reduced pump activity this augmented K+ "leak" might enhance the osmotic stability of the old cells and function to lengthen their life span.


Properties of brush border vesicles isolated from rat kidney cortex by calcium precipitation. Brush border membrane vesicles were isolated from rat kidney cortex by differential centrifugation in the presence of 10 mM calcium. Their properties were compared to brush border vesicles isolated by free-flow electrophoresis. By the calcium precipitation method membrane vesicles were obtained in a shorter time with a similar enrichment of brush border marker enzymes (11- to 12-fold for alkaline phosphatase and maltase), with a similarly reduced activity of the marker enzyme for basal-lateral plasma membranes and an almost identical protein composition as revealed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The transport properties of the two membrane preparations for D-glucose, L-phenylalanine, and phosphate are essentially the same; there is some indication for a lower sodium permeability of the vesicles prepared by the calcium precipitation method. The latter vesicles were also shown to exhibit sodium gradient stimulated uptake of L-glutamate.


Phloretin-like action of bioflavonoids on sugar accumulation capability of isolated intestinal cells. Flavanones and flavones are structural analogues of phloretin. Like phloretin they inhibit the non-Na+-dependent, facilitated diffusion transport system for sugars associated with the lateral serosal boundary of intestinal epithelial cells. The degree of inhibition varies with the extent and position of hydroxylation of the flavonoid nucleus. Flavones are more potent than corresponding flavanones. Tri- and tetrahydroxylated forms are more inhibitory than similar penta- and hexahydroxylated molecules. With one exception, none of the 18 flavonoids tested has secondary effects as metabolic inhibitors, as does phloretin. Inhibition of the passive sugar transport system with flavonoids allows the concentrative Na+-dependent sugar transport system to establish a better concentration gradient than is observed in untreated cells. The degree of gradient enhancement is proportional to the degree of inhibition of the sugar "leak." The flavonoid glycosides, which can be considered as phlorizin analogues, also inhibit the non-Na+-dependent sugar carrier, but less well than corresponding nonglycosylated agents. Only one of the glycosides inhibits the Na+-dependent transport system, and much less potently than phlorizin.


Differential labeling of components in human erythrocyte membranes associated with the transport of glucose. The irreversible inhibition of glucose transport by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (FDNB) has been used to identify membrane proteins possibly associated with glucose transport in human erythrocytes. D-Glucose was shown to enhance significantly the rate of FDNB inhibition of transport when present during the reaction, whereas cytochalasin B (CB) and D-maltose retarded this FDNB inhibition of transport. This modulation of the inhibition reaction formed basis for a double isotopic differential labeling technique using [14C]- and [3H] FDNB followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to distinguish transport-associated polypeptides from bulk membrane dinitrophenylated proteins. Reactions in the presence of CB or maltose revealed the presence of a differentially labeled polypeptide(s), with a molecular weight of approximately 60,000-65,000 daltons. This effect could in part be reversed in the presence of D-glucose but not L-glucose. Reactions in the presence of D-glucose resulted in two regions of differential labeling. One region was around 200,000 daltons and the other corresponded to a 90,000-dalton band. Extraction of membrane proteins with p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate resulted in no loss of the 60,000-dalton peak, indicating that this labeled polypeptide(s) was firmly anchored in the hydrophobic core of the membrane. These results indicate that as many as three membrane polypeptides are differentially labeled by FDNB under conditions strongly associated with the inhibition of the glucose transport system and may be involved in the regulation of glucose transport.


Reconstitution of neutral amino acid transport systems from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Amino acid transport systems for alanine and leucine were reconstituted into artificial lipid vesicles. Purified plasma membrane vesicles from Ehrlich ascites cells were dissolved in 2% sodium cholate, 1mM dithiothreitol, and 0.5 mM EDTA a mixture that solubilized approximately 50% of the membrane protein. This solubilized protein fraction was further purified by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitations, gel filtration, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. A fraction containing approximately 15 Coomassie blue-staining bands on sodim dodecyl sulfate gels was obtained. This material was reconstituted into liposomes, and preliminary results demonstrated transport of alanine and leucine dependent on a sodium gradient. In addition, an electrogenic gradient mediated by valinomycin-induced potassium diffusion seemed to stimulate alanine uptake further.


Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-induced changes in the electrical conductance of bimolecular lipid membranes. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of dopamine (DA) to norepinephrine (NE) in adrenal medullary chromaffin granules, increases the electrical conductance of bimolecular lipid membranes. The conductances increase requires both DA and Ca2+ and occurs in discrete steps. The conductance, which increases as the square of the DBH concentration, is nonselective for cations over anions and requires the native conformation of DBH. NE cannot replace DA.


Improved synthesis of n-octyl-beta-D-glucoside: a nonionic detergent of considerable potential in membrane biochemistry. An improved synthesis for the nonionic detergent n-octyl-beta-D-glucoside (detergent 2) is described. The key modification over earlier methods is the utilization of n-octyl alcohol as the limiting reagent in the condensation between bromide 1 and n-octyl alcohol. A 60-70% overall yield of 2 is obtained without isolation of the intermediate. The beta-configuration at the anomeric carbon atom of 2 was confirmed by 100 mHz NMR spectroscopy.


Differences in the chemical composition and carbohydrate metabolism of Echinococcus granulosus (horse and sheep strains) and E. multilocularis. Metabolic studies in vitro and studies on chemical composition indicate basic biochemical differences between the horse and sheep strains of Echinococcus granulosus and between these and the closely related species, E. multilocularis. The horse strain of E. granulosus has a similar level of DNA, but significantly more polysaccharides and lipids, with less RNA and protein than the sheep strain. E. multilocularis has significantly more lipids and DNA but less polysaccharides than the horse and sheep strains of E. granulosus, more RNA and protein than the horse strain but similar protein to and less RNA than the sheep strain. Incubations under air and under 95% N2-5% CO2 for 3 h show that only E. multilocularis takes up glucose, that all three forms consume different amounts of oxygen and endogenous glycogen and produce different concentrations of lactate, succinate, acetate, malate, pyruvate, propionate and ethanol as end products of carbohydrate metabolism.


The development of the tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum (L. 1756) (Cestoda; Pseudophyllidea) in its definitive hosts, with special references to the growth patterns of D. dendriticum (Nitzsch, 1824) and D. ditremum (Creplin, 1827). When Diphyllobothrium latum develops from larva to adult in a definitive host, it first sheds the entire larval 'body' before growth of an adult strobila starts. This process of shedding off the entire larval abothrial extremity, piece by piece, takes about 48 h. By this time the larva has usually reached the anterior third of the small intestine of the host. D. dendriticum and D. ditremum develop quite differently, although exhibiting similar anterior migrations. In these two species the larvae develop directly into adults without the larval 'body' first being shed. The implications of the observed differences in growth pattern between these three species of Diphyllobothrium to the classification of diphyllobothriid cestodes is discussed briefly.


A suggested terminology for populations of coccidia (Eimeriorina), particularly of the genus Eimeria (Protozoa: Apicomplexa). A short list of terms has been compiled which provides for the discussion of variation of coccidia of the genus Eimeria at infrasubspecific levels. Based upon this list, guidelines are given for the designation of strains and lines.


Effects of saturated sodium chloride solution on coccidial oocysts. Using the ability to sporulate as a measure of viability, the effects of exposure of unsporulated oocysts of 10 species of coccidia of chickens, rabbits and cattle to saturated NaCl solution has been studied. Although appreciable deformation and collapse of the oocyst occurred after 1-2 days contact, the effect was reversible after washing free from salt and incubating. Some reduction in ability to sporulate following several days contact with saturated salt was noted in most species, although no effect was seen with Eimeria stiedai following 7 days exposure, Eimeria tenella was one of the more sensitive species studied. Culture titration experiments in chickens with E. tenella indicated that oocysts which had sporulated following prolonged exposure to salt were in no way inferior in virulence or ability to retain virulence on prolonged storage to oocysts prepared with minimal contact with salt. No evidence was obtained to contra-indicate the use of salt-flotation methods for the separation of oocysts from faeces.


Host-parasite relationships of Zygocotyle lunata (Trematoda) in the domestic chick. Domestic chicks were infected with Zygocotyle lunata to determine gross and histopathological effects on the caecal tissues, to observe the method of feeding by worms and to examine the effects of crowding on the growth and development of the worm. Caecal weights and dimensions were significantly reduced in infected chicks. Caecal debris, abundant in control chicks, stained positive for proteins, polysaccharides, acid mucopolysaccharides and neutral fats. Caecal debris was rarely seen in infected chicks. The lumen of the intestinal caeca of the worms contained acellular material which showed protease activity and stained positive for proteins, polysaccharides and acid mucopolysaccharides. Histopathological effects of the infection showed a disruption of the architecture of host caecal mucosa, worm to worm attachment, tissue plugs in the worm acetabulum, and an engorgement of host mucosal tissue with erythrocytes. Stunting due to worm crowding was very evident and by 2 weeks post-infection, worms from single-worm infections were sexually mature and more than twice the length of immature flukes obtained from chicks infected with 100-500 cysts.


Mannosyl transferase activity in homogenates of adult Schistosoma mansoni. Homogenates of adult Schistosoma mansoni contain enzymes which are capable of transferring [14C]mannose from GDP[U-14C]mannose to a lipid acceptor which migrates as a single peak on a silica gel thin-layer plate. This lipid may belong to the class of polyprenol monophosphates which are intermediate elements in the glycosylation of nascent proteins. The schistosome mannosyl transferase activity is associated with membranous particles and is dependent on the presence of Mn2+. However, other divalent metals such as Mg2+ or Ca2+ can, in decreasing order of efficiency, replace Mn2+. When UDP[U-14C]glucose was incubated with the homogenates in the same conditions, relatively little label was transferred to the lipid acceptor. Live worms incubated in a medium containing GDP[U-14C]mannose seem to incorporate the label preferentially on the tegument and on adjacent subtegumental structures. By adding foetal calf serum to the medium, incorporation of the label can be stimulated.


[The genesis of crime according to dialectic criminology. II. Comments on the genesis of crime]. Prof. Lyra discusses in this article the basic problem of criminological sciences, stating that its essential object of study is the determination of the genesis of crime. The Author states that, before defining the crime genesis, it is necessary to outline, through a synthesis of epistemological restructurization of criminology itself. This way, we can develop a conception of Dialectic Criminology, where the term "dialectic" does not necessarily coincide with a marxist posture, but it extends along much more complex and comprehensive parameters. Dialectic Criminology is defined, in Lyra's conception, as a Classified Criminology, synthetizing both the psychological approach (clinical criminology, or micro-criminology), and the sociological approach (sociological criminology or macro-criminology), according to an anthropological basic frame of reference, which constitutes the new and original prerequisite. To this aim, according to Prof. Lyra, it is necessary to overcome merely biological or psychological theories, and the new sociologisms, which cannot explain deviant behavior without falling into dogmatism or relativism. It is necessary to give back to criminology its original ethico-philosophical roots, and to place the problem of crime within a new "praxis" concept, which takes into account the authentic freedom of man, interracting with historical evolution. This way, through Dialectic Criminology, we can overcome the conception of crime and delinquency viewed as counterparts of the concept of Law.


[Penal treatment and rehabilitation of the convict in the new Penal Code of San Marino. Juridical and criminological aspects]. The Republic of San Marino adopted a new Penal Code which came into force on Ist January 1975; it replaced the former one of 15th Sept. 1865. After having stated the typical aspects of the Penal Procedure System therein enforceable, the Authors examine the rules concerning criminal responsibility and the danger of committing new crimes. They point out and criticize the relevant contradictions. In explaining the measures regarding punishment and educational rehabilitation provided for by the San Marino's legal system, the Authors later consider them from a juridical and criminological viewpoint. If some reforms must be approved (for example: biopsychical inquiry on the charged person, probation, week-end imprisonments, fines according to the incomes of the condemned, etc.). the Authors stress that some legal provisions may appear useless and unrealistic when one considers the environmental conditions of the little Republic. The Authors conclude that Penal Procedure Law is not in accordance with Penal Law and, consequently, they hope that a new reform will be grounded on the needs arising from the crimes perpetrated in loco. It shall be, however, necessary to plan a co-ordination among the two Codes within a framework of de-criminalization of many acts which are now punishable as crime.


[Measurement of anxiety in a population of prisoners]. The Cattle's IPAT anxiety scale test has been used in a population of prisoners during a three years period. The specific features of these subjects suggest great caution in the interpretation of this tests, that was originally validated on different populations. For psychodiagnostic and therapeutic purposes each score should be specifically checked. Other observations are made and some suggestions are also given.


[Suckling mouse brain rabies vaccine supplemented with an adjuvant. Its use in cattle]. This paper describes two experiments carried out in cattle immunized with suckling mouse brain rabies vaccine (SMB) 14, supplemented with 2% Al (OH)3 15 or Freund's modified incomplete adjuvant 2, 26. When determining the vaccinal dose, it was observed that the immune response was independent from the doses used (Table 1), all animals survived the challenge 30 days after vaccination, as compared to a mortality rate of 80% in the controls. To determine the duration of immunity, an amount of 5 ml was chosen as vacinal dose. Two years after immunization, both vaccines protected 96% of the cattle against a viral challenge that killed 63% of the non-vaccinated controls (Table 2). Statistically significant differences were observed between the antibody levels elicited by both vaccines. Antibody levels observed with the oil supplemented vaccine were higher than those produced by the A1 (OH)3 vaccine.


[Aminoacid levels in Werding-Hoffmann and Kugelberg-Welander diseases (author's transl)]. The concentration of free aminoacids in plasma and urine were estimated in 10 patients suffering from Werdnig-Hoffmann's disease of long duration. The age of the patients was between 5 and 14 years. Estimations were also made in 10 patients with Kugelberg-Welander's disease aged between 11 and 34 years. The aminoacid concentrations were estimated on samples of plasma and 24 hours samples of urine by means of chromatography on ion-exchange resins. The data obtained were compared respectively with groups of thirty and ten healthy subjects of the same age. In the group of patients with Werdnig-Hoffmann's disease a significant increase of taurine (p less than 0.001) and of glutamic acid (p less than 0.001) was found in the plasma. The urinary excretion of glutamine was increased in the same group of patients (p less than 0.001) and in the group with Kugelberg-Welander's disease (p less than 0.005). These aminoacid levels are interpreted as an expression of a reduced oxygen metabolism and increased proteolysis in the skeletal muscles in conditions of chronic denervation.


[Chemotherapy of cerebral tumours: data on malignant gliomas (author's transl)]. The Authors, after briefly reviewing the literature on chemotherapy of malignant gliomas, present their own experience on forty-four patients with such tumors. All of them had been previously operated and irradiated. The clinical course was controlled by various parameters which are described. Results obtained in glioblastomas, anaplastic astrocytomas and malignant oligodendrogliomas are discussed. BCNU and CCNU seem to be beneficial not only in prolonging survival time but also in improving its quality: the average survival time of treated patients is 9.2 +/- 9.8 against 6.7 +/- 3.4 of controls. These values however are not statistically significant. In 15 out of 31 patients, who died at varying intervals after chemoterapy, an autopsy was performed. The morphology of the tumors was compared with that of previous biopsies. No specific alterations to be referred to chemotherapy were found. The side effects are described in detail and particular attention is focused on toxicity (blood and liver) whose main effect is the lowering of platelets and white cells. However, this and the epatic alterations did not reach values requiring interruption of chemotherapy. Other drugs have been used such as MeCCNU, VM 26 and Procarbazine. The number of patients, treated with each of them, is low for a definite conclusion; even if VM 26 and Procarbazine seem to offer the best effects.


Clinical-electroencephalographic correlations in measles: a long range study of 18 subjects. EEGs of 18 cases of measles (uncomplicated, with seizures, with encephalitides) were obtained through an underground cable connection between the Infections Diseases Department and the EEG unit. The varions EEG features of the disease have been studied during the evolution of the illness. An occasional EEG does not offer specific information on either the severity or the evolution of the disease. Marked EEG abnormalities appeared in the encephalitic group. The Authors emphasize the importance of serial prolonged EEG follow-up of measles in order to define precisely the stage and the evolution of the disease.


The effect of transplacental intoxication with ethylnitrosourea on myelin proteins. Pregnant mice at the 15th day of gestation were injected with a single intravenous dose of ENU/80 mg/kg of body weight). The protein composition of the myelin fraction isolated by means of differential centrifugation from brains of the offsprings was studied. The results obtained lead to the following conclusions: 1. The myelin protein spectrum of transplacentally intoxicated animals aged 40 days postnatal, shows decreased percentages of the Wolfgram protein and of the low molecular weight basic protein, whereas the proportions of the high molecular weight component of the myelin basic protein as well that of the Agrawal's protein are elevated. 2. The alterations in the profile of myelin proteins obtained from experimental mice aged 70 days postnatal are less severe and consist in a decline of the percentage of Wolfgrams protein and elevation of the Agrawal's protein content. 3. The intraplacental intoxication of mouse fetuses leads to development of animals defective with respect to the protein composition of the central myelin.


[Nonenzymatic deamidation as a factor in protein aging]. Amidation of two protein fractions of brain, heart and liver of senite rats was found to decrease by 15--21% as compared with that of young animals. This decrease was shown to be due to unstable amide groups. Strong evidence is presented favouring the preposition that in proteins the unstable amide groups are those of asparagine and the stable ones those of glutamine. The possibility of the nonenzymatic deamidation of proteins was investigated. Deaminated proteins were found to be more easily attacked by proteinases which could be one of the possible ways of breakdown of aging proteins.


[Role of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion on regulating the amount of brain cell nuclear histones]. The quantitative changes of histones and their fractions and of nonhistone proteins in nuclei of cerebral cells have been studied in normal animals and following removal of the right superior cervical ganglion. On the next day after sympathectomy the total amount of histones was shown to increase by 17% in nuclei of cells of the right hemisphere while in nuclei of cells of the left hemisphere an increase of 38% was observed 3 days after sympathectomy. Histone fractions rich in lysine were also found to increase. The amount of nonhistone proteins begins to decrease on the next day after sympathectomy and reaches 33% of control values by the third day.


[Organ specific water-soluble cerebral cortex proteins; possible participation in physiological functions and pathologic manifestations]. The spectre of active antigens in brain is studied. The presence of 3 protein and 3 glycoprotein brain specific antigens is demonstrated. The possible participation of brain specific antigens in increased antibody formation in schizophrenics, multiple sclerosis and lateral ammiotrophic sclerosis is studied. The data obtained indicate the role of brain specific antigens to autoimmunity in those patients. The possible participation of one of the specific antigens of the brain, sialoglycoprotein GP-350, in physiological processes connected with the mechanism of memory is also studied. In experiments of inbred trained rats an activation of the synthesis of GP-350 is observed.


Nuclear pole complexes in cells of developing mouse cerebral cortex. The nuclear pore complexes of cells of the superficial layers of the cerebral cortex of mice were studied by freezeetch technique from the 18--20th embryonic to 180th postnatal day. The nuclear membrane was found to be randomly penetrated by pore complexes in all age groups studied. The pores have a typical octagonal shape. The density of pores (per/um2) amounted to 7.8, 14.0, 17.0, 18.1 and 14.1 on 18--20th embryonic and 8th, 15th, 50th and 180th postnatal day respectively. The total number of pores per nucleus amounted to 1257, 6582, 5405 and 3384 on the 18--20th embryonic and the 15th, 50th and 180th postnatal day respectively. Thus the total number of pores per nucleus increases 5.2 times from the 18th--20th prenatal to the 15th postnatal day and than slightly decreases toward the 180th postnatal day. The density of pore complexes in adult brain cell nuclei is therefore very high in comparison with other normal somatic and cancer cells.


Dopaminergic control of adenohypophyseal growth. The chronic administration of large doses of oestrogens to rats results in an increase in the weight of the adenohypophysis, in the thyroxine-binding capacity of the adenohypophyseal proteins and in the serum ceruloplasmin level. Testosterone, ant-oestrogens and an excess dose of the thyroid hormones cause parallel inhibition of all three reactions. The dopaminergic neuron blocker Pimozide potentiates all three reactions, while perphenazine, in the tested doses potentiated only the adenohypophyseal reactions. In the tested doses, dopaminergic neuron stimulators (ergocornine and analogous substances) inhibited only the adenohypophyseal reactions. The nature of the relationships between the three reactions in question is considered.


[Participation of glutamate and alanine in amino acid biosynthesis, in lipogenesis, and in gluconeogenesis in the brain]. The participation of glutamate and alanine in lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis of brain was investigated. 5(14)C glutamate was injected intracisternally in an amount of 5 mcCu/l g tissue and 3(14)C-alanine was injected subcutaneously 30 mcCu/100 g body weight. Labels from glutamate and alanine were recovered in different lipid franctions -- in phospholipids, glycerides, free fatty acids and cholesterol, as well as in glucose and glycogen. An intensive incorporation of label from 5(14)C glutamate into various amino acids--aspartic acid, glutamine, serine, glycine and alanine--was demonstrated. The data presented indicate the participation of amino acids in lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis of brain.


[Possibility of using enriched glial and neuronal cell fractions to study transport of neurotransmitter amino acids in old age]. Calculated on a protein basis the yield of neuronal and glial cell-enriched fractions obtained from the brain of aged and adult rats was found to be equal. In aged animals the high affinity uptake of 14C-GABA by neuronal fractions is reduced by 27.34% while that of glial fractions by 11.87%. At 0 degrees both age groups studied the uptake of 14C-GABA is greatly inhibited--by 66% in neurones and 92% in glia. The conclusion is drawn that glial cells are changed much less with age than neurones and thus their role as modulators of neuronal function increases with age.


[Specific hypothalamic proteins].

[Specific hypothalamic proteins]. We had previously shown the presence of four protein fractions in hypothalamus of cattle having a coronarodilatatory effect. In this study we have developed methods for the isolation of these proteins and have studied some of their physicochemical properties, amino acid composition, molecular weight, iso-electric point etc. The results obtained have shown that the methods used enable the isolation of quite pure coronaroactive proteins, the content of which in the hypothalamus is equal to 12 mg/kg of fresh tissue. A study of the amino acid composition of these proteins has shown that they are not of the same type. They also differ in molecular weight, in their electrophoretic properties on 7.5% polyacrylamide gel and their iso-electric points. The possibility of a dual function of these proteins as carriers and precursors of corresponding neurohormones is discussed.


[Proteolipids of the nervous system].

[Proteolipids of the nervous system]. The distribution of proteolipids (PL) was studied in various parts of the nervous system of certain mammals and subcellular structures of rat brain. Soluble PL of various degrees of purification from lipids have been obtained from gray and white matter of cerebral hemispheres of cattle as well as from mitochondrial, synaptosomal and two myelin fractions of rat brain. Certain properties, protein and lipid composition and molecular weight of the PL isolated have been studied. Together with some general properties certain differences have been observed in the protein and especially in the phospholipid composition of PL isolated from the grey and white matters and subcellular particles. The PL of white matter and myelin are similar to each other in their protein and phospholipid composition but are different from those of grey matter and mitochondria, the latter in turn being also similar in their protein and phospholipid composition. The data obtained make the existence of at least two types of PL probable: one in myelin and another in mitochondria. The first is characterised by the presence of a protein corresponding to DM-20 of molecular weight of 29000, besides the main PL protein of 35-36000 molecular weight, as well as by the predominance of phosphatidylserine which forms 61% of phospholipids bound to PL. The second is characterized by the existence of one main protein corresponding to PL but of a somewhat higher molecular weight (39--40000). The phospholipid composition of the PL is rich in cardiolipin which form 38--46% of bound phospholipids.


[Chemical-toxicological diagnosis in 16 cases of "intravenous narcotism" deaths (author's transl)]. The chemical-toxicological diagnosis aspects involved in 16 cases of "intravenous narcotism" deaths are discussed. Liquids and biological materials were directly tested by RIA, GLC and TLC. According to the Authors, RIA is assumed to be more speedy and more sensitive than traditional chemical technics. Therefore RIA is proposed for quantitative determination of morfina and its derivates in biological liquids and viscera, previous the qualitative confirmation by the chemical tests.


[Lead automated microdetermination in capillary samples of blood by a flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy (author's transl)]. A method for lead determination in capillary samples of blood based on flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy in connection with an automated microsampling system is described. For such determinations 50 microliter of heparinized whole blood samples from the fingertip or from the ear lobe are sufficient. Immediately after sampling blood is diluted in ratio 1:5 by an aqueous 0.05% Silicon Antifoam solution. Correlation between lead capillary from the same subjects and venous blood levels sampled from the same subjects and in the same sampling session is highly significant and well suited for routine clinical use.


[Evaluation of biological activity of organic substances by measuring the physico-chemical parameters (author's transl)]. For a particular form (amorphous phase) of physical acting substances the water solubility, in conditions very close to the in vivo ones, has been compared with corresponding biological activities. The reciprocal of the above parameter shows a good correlation with various physico-chemical, biochemical and pharmacological parameters of xanthinic compounds, analgesic alkaloids, barbiturates, sulphonamides. The solubility of the crystalline phase cannot be correlated with the biological activity: the ratio between these two solubilities shows this inability.


[Screening for aminoacidopathies in newborns by means of an aminoacid analyzer. Reference values and statistical determinations (author's transl)]. Plasmatic concentrations of amino acids valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine, in 4100 newborns of age varying between 1 and 18 days have been analyzed. The samples were randomly taken among the newborns of Lazio, Abruzzi and Molise subjected to neonatal screening for aminoacidopathies at the Centro delle Oligofrenie Dismetaboliche, Istituto di Neuropsichiatria Infantile. Average concentrations in mumoles/100 ml of the aminoacids and their correlations with weight and age have been studied. A comparison of the results of this research with the already published data is made, and the cut off points in mass screening for aminoacidopathies are calculated.


[Dermatophytoses found at the Pasteur Institute of Tunis. Apropos of 697 cases]. A study about 697 patients with fungous injuries of scalp and hairless skin shows that 50% of scalp lesions and 16% of hairless skin lesions are dermatophyties. The incidence of dermatophytes is stable since the last study of Juminer in Tunis (1964); Trichophyton violaceum is the most identified fungous; however, we attend the push of zoo-anthropophil dermatophytes, so that Microsporum canis.


[Rabies prevention at Cap-Bon (Tunisia) from 1973 to 1977]. During the period 1973-1977, decentralization of our rabies preventive program has been carried out. Three times more people attended our clinics without affecting the quality of routine care in each centre. Decentralization of an activity in a Public Health District can be used as a way of integrating curative and preventive activities. Five criteria are defined for supervision of this activity by the district doctor in charge.


[Parasites of fresh water turtles in Tunisia]. A survey work during 1974-75 on the parasites of aquatic turtles of Tunisia, twenty one specimens (9 males and 12 females) were captured in the watercourses of the northern area of Tunisia and dissected in the Institut Pasteur of Tunis. These turtles belong to the species; Clemmys caspica var. leprosa and Emys orbicularis (L. 1758). The following parasites were recovered from these turtles: Trematodes: Polystomoides tunisiensis and Telorchis temimi (Gonzalez and Mishra, 1977) and T. solivagus (Odhner, 1902); Nematodes: Camallanus parvus (Eduardo Caballero, 1939); Spiroxys contortus (Rudolphi, 1819) and Spironoura lambdiensis (Seurat, 1918); Protozoa: Haemogregarina stepanovi (Dan, 1886) and Entamoeba invadens (Geiman and Ratcliff, 1936). Ectoparasites: Placobdella costata (Moquin - Tandom). In addition to these parasites, unidentified nematode larvae were detected on several occasions; in the bile ducts and within the hepatic cysts of the turtles examined. Two trematodes P. tunisiensis and T. temimi are recorded and described for the first time.


[Notes on the reptiles of Tunisia. V. Biometric characteristics of Mauremys caspica leprosa (Schweigger, 1812) (Reptilia: Emydidae)]. This morphological study is based on 45 specimens of Mauremys caspica leprosa (Reptilia: Emydidae) sampled in northern and central Tunisia. A first principal component analysis of 9 variables: 8 measurements of the shell and the weight in life, allow to define a factor "size"; a second analysis of these variables divided by the size make obvious a factor "shape". In the plane of these two factors, our specimens may be classified into 6 groups from the hatchling stage to the large adults; in addition, the factor shape express a dysharmony in the growth, beginning with the third group (weight: 300 to 500 g). Among the 8 parameters used, 4 are adequate to characterize the morphology of this turtle.


[Effects of adrenaline and acetylcholine on respiratory exchanges of the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis L., 1958, in a non-confined environment]. Sepia officinalis L, a cephalopod species, is used to study the influence of adrenalin and acetylcholin on respiratory exchanges in confined environment. The results show that in constant salinity and temperature conditions, an injection of 250 micrograms of adrenalin or acetylcholin increases its oxygen need and the rate of oxygen consumption. Adrenalin and acetylcholin have synergic effects on the respiratory exchanges in confined environment.


[Ecological data on the interstitial meiofauna of the lower part of the beaches of the gulf of Tunis]. The density of the meiofauna in the mediolittoral zone can exceed 4.10(6) ind./m2; the Nematoda are the most important group but their percentage is lower as in constantly immersed biotops; the population has a great vertical extension. Near the mouth of Medjerda river, the low salinity brings about a strong impoverishment.


[Natural plasma inhibitors of factors activated by coagulation. Their behavior under various clinical conditions]. Levels of anti-Xa and anti-thrombin III activity have been determined in a series of patients clinically definable as "thrombophiliac" and of women undergoing oestroprogestinic contraceptive treatment. The levels of plasma Co-Ep activity for potentiating anti-Xa activity on the part of differing in vitro added doses of Ep have also been determined. The fact that anti-Xa fell in more marked a fashion than the corresponding anti-thrombin III may be the humoral equivalent of a condition of plasma hypercoagulability. Treatment with coumarin derivatives may bring about an appreciable increase anti-Xa plasma levels. The significance of these variations is discussed and the sensitivity of the anti-Xa method for monitoring small dose heparin therapy, i.e. based on antithrombotic rather than anti-coagulant effect, is confirmed.


[Effects of oral glucose, fructose and saccharose loads on blood sugar, insulin and lipids in normal subjects]. Blood sugar, insulin, NEFA, triglycerides and cholesterol were evaluated in metabolically healthy subjects following oral glucose (100 g in 12 subjects), fructose (50 g in 9 subjects), and saccharose (100 g in 9 subjects). As shown in the literature, glucose led to a slight sugar increase at 60', a marked increase in insulin at 60', and a pronounced fall in NEFA at 120'. Fructose had no effect on sugar and NEFA, whereas there was significant and gradual rise in the insulin curve until 180' (P less than 0.01). In the case of saccharose, the changes in blood sugar, insulin and NEFA were slightly less evident than with glucose. No significant alterations in cholesterol and triglyceride levels were noted throughout the experiment.


[Craniometric findings in sickle-cell anemia]. Craniometric measurements have been taken on teleradiographs in lateral and antero-posterior projection of five patients suffering from sickle-cell anaemia. All were Sicilian. The investigations revealed a proportional dysharmony among the various segments of the face, the results of excessive development of the mandibular bone, particularly transversally. This characteristic would appear to be peculiar to patients with homo- and heterozygote haemoglobinopathy.


[Supernumerary and false cervical ribs]. In this graduate course lecture, and attempt is made to interpret the meaning of supernumerary cervical ribs and false ribs, by classifying the phenomenon among regressive abnormalities.


[Erythrocyte changes during alcoholism and chronic liver diseases]. 50 patients with chronic liver disease and/or alcoholism were studied. 28 cases of anemia were found and macrocytes (and target m.), spurr-cells, spherocytes and stomatocytes observed. For each of these abnormalities the authors report the observed incidence and discuss the literature's data about the pathogenesis. A personal research on the influence of the liver's impaired capability of protein synthesis was also carried out. The usefulness of a careful examination of the blood film is finally stressed, in patients with liver disease and to discover alcoholic subjects still "healthy".


[Blood lysozyme level and bone marrow granulocyte reserve]. The relation between granulocyte turnover, as shown by serum lysozyme values, and the marrow granulocyte reserve, evaluated by means of the hydrocortisone test, was determined in 20 patients with metastasised solid tumours or lymphomas undergoing cytostatic and/or radiation management. In addition to confirming the validity of this test as a means of assessing the behaviour of the marrow storage compartment, it pointed to a correlation between the hydrocortisone test and serum lysozyme. High enzyme values, in fact, insofar as they are an expression of accelerated granulocyte turnover may be seen as an indication of reduced marrow function, and thus offer a simple means of predicting reduction of the marrow granulocyte reserve, and hence a possible post-chemotherapeutic leukopenia, in some cases where peripheral leukopenia is not apparent.


[Effect of estradiol on carbohydrate metabolism in the uterine musculature]. The Effect of 7.5 micrograms i.v. 17-beta-oestradiol on the sugar metabolism of the uterine musculature was studied in 180-200 g Wistar rats. The myometrial metabolic reaction consisted of increased glucose phosphorylation, enhanced utilisation of creatine phosphate, and increased production of adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate initially, followed by their consumption. The gradual fall in the lactate: pyruvate ratio showed that this stimulation of glycolysis was not occurring in the absence of oxygen.


[Postoperative jaundice].

[Postoperative jaundice]. The numerous causes and mechanisms of postoperative icterus are discussed. Reference is made to the difficulty of diagnosing cases needing further surgical treatment. Stress is laid on the importance of correct operative techniques and radiological and instrumental methods (endocholedochic endoscopy according to Battezzati) to reduce the incidence of residual calculosis that weighs upon operations for calculous cholecystitis.


[Benign stenosis of Vater's ampulla].

[Benign stenosis of Vater's ampulla]. The classification of benign stenosis of Vater's ampulla is explained and reference is made to 5 years' experience in this field. The preoperative diagnosis of this condition is discussed and an account is given of the results obtained and the postoperative course. Attention is drawn to the very low incidence of postoperative pancreatitis with respect to the surgical methods employed. This incidence is evaluated in the conclusions reached.


[Clinico-radiological considerations on senile atrophic gastritis]. 59 cases of patients in geriatric age have been examined in which clinical symptomatology, radiographic exams and laboratory data had indicated the possible presence of gastric neoplasia. The repetition of the radiographic exam after giving methoclopramide for some days has demonstrated, excluding neoplastic lesion, that it was senile atrophic pseudo-tumoral gastritis. The diagnosis has been confirmed in numerous cases by gastroscopy with biopsy.


[Motor rehabilitation in the aged. Clinical evaluation of the physiokinesis therapy department at a geriatric division for acute diseases]. Physiokinesitherapeutic results obtained in a geriatrics division showed that aged subjects with motor is injuries have the same chance of recovery as those in middle age. The time required for each stage and the overall duration of treatment are more or less the same. No special technological differences are involved, though close psychological training is necessary, and encouragement of the open brain-environment system may useful. Restrictions, though hardly even contraindications, may be encountered in the form of other infirmities more commonly associated with age. It is clear, therefore, that physiotherapy should always be attempted in the aged, in keeping with the clinical picture as well as the motor lesions involved. Physiokinesitherapy Geriatrics.


[Current knowledge on memory in the elderly]. In geriatric practice, much thought must be given to initial changes in intelligence and memory due to old age and often suddenly aggravated by dysmetabolic and circulatory disease. Awareness of the memory faculty in the elderly is vital in clinical practice for the purposes of pharmacological and psychological designed to reduce the intellectual decline of the patients. This deficiency in mental personality is an important limitation to rehabilitation which remains the aim of medical attention.


[Changes in fibrinogen values in children with acute articular rheumatism and streptococcal disease]. A study was made of changes in body fluid parameters of rheumatism following treatment with sulphoadenosine-methionine and classic forms of management. Particular attention is drawn to improvement of the serum electrophoretic picture (especially in the case of alpha 2 and gamma-globulins) with respect to untreated control group. Note is also taken of the drug's positive influence on liver function, particularly with regard to lactate hydrogenase, compared with the variations in such parameters in the control group.


[Short-term treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis and moniliasis. Clinical trial of a soluble complex of mepartricin]. The efficacy and tolerance of mepartricin sodium lauryl sulphate (SPA-S-222) was evaluated in patients with vaginal trichomoniasis and/or moniliasis. One group received 4 tablets/day for 3 days (group "A"), and the other (group "B") 1 tablet/8 hr for 4 days. A lasting microbiological cure was obtained in all cases. Tolerance was better in group "B" and it is felt that this protocol should be preferred.


Drug effect on cholinergic mechanisms in the cerebral cortex. Investigations aimed to define the components of the cholinergic network in the cerebral cortex and their functional modifications under the effect of a number of psychotropic drugs are described. By measuring acetylcholine levels and acetylcholine output from the cerebral cortex in cats and rats with various subcortical lesions, at least two systems of cholinergic neurons ascending to the cortex were demonstrated. One of the systems originates from the septum and its activity is affected by drugs acting on dopaminergic receptors.


[Acute emphysematous cholecystitis].

[Acute emphysematous cholecystitis]. A case of acute cholecystitis in a patient of 66 is reported. The aetiopathogenetic aspects are examined with particular regard to the microbiology of such forms, the particular radiological and anatomo-pathological findings and the medical and surgical implications, in the light of a review of the question.


[Lipid content of aorta, spleen and kidneys in rats on a high fat diet and treated with a chromatographic thymus gland fraction]. A chromatographic fraction obtained from a thymus homogenate of young calf, was administered by intraperitoneal means to a distinct group of rats previously fed on a diet with high content of dietary fat for 50 days. The serum values of cholesterol and triglycerides and of total lipids in spleen, kidneys and aorta which were obtained from these animals were compared with those of rats fed on the same diet and not injected with the thymus fraction. The considerable decrease of the seric values was not followed by conparable results of the lipidic content in the organs.


[Intestinal occlusions due to enteroliths]. Enteroliths or intestinal autochthonous calculi are among the rare causes of intestinal occlusion. A personal case in which the central nucleus of the stercolith consisted of gunshot is reported. The literature is reviewed, particular attention being laid on pathogenetic aspects, and the frequent complications of this pathology are recalled. The casual radiological finding of an enterolith generally means surgery only for those with caeco-appendicular localization.


[Changes in lipids in rats on a high fat diet and treated with a chromatographic thymus gland fraction]. The AA studied the lipoproteins variations in the rat fed on a diet with a high content of a dietary fat and injected with a chromatographic fraction from a thymus homogenate of young calf. The diet induces in the animals considerable variations of the serum lipoproteins, while the thymus factor is able to bring back the lipoproteins to the normal per cent values.


[Long-term levodopa syndrome. Report of a clinical case]. Since it is was first described by James Parkinson in 1817 much has been learnt about Parkinson's disease. The complete picture is not clear, however, and a new impulse has been given to the study of the physiopathology of the basal ganglia by the therapeutic employment of L-Dopa with a peripheral inhibitor of the decarboxylase. This treatment is the best available particularly for akinetic-hypertonic forms. In certain cases, however, patients developed a dyskinetic long-term L-Dopa syndrome, depending on the amount of L-Dopa given and individual sensitivity. The syndrome occurs in Parkinsonism only and can be prevented by thalamolysis. It would appear to be a specific expression of the effect of L-Dopa on the striatonigral system rather than of generic hypersensitivity due to denervation. A personal case is presented.


[Evaluation of some blood clotting parameters in relation to the administration of estroprogestins]. A number of blood clotting parameters have been determined in the plasma of 25 women who had not previously taken steroid contraceptives. After the administration of an oestroprogestinic association (ethynyloestradiol 0.05 mg + norgestrol 0.25 mg) for five cycles, the same subjects were controlled again for the determination of the same haematochemical parameters. The changes observed highlighted a marked increase in fibrinogenaemia and fibrinolysis, a slight rise in associated clotting factors II-VII-X, no change in the activity of antithrombin III and platelet aggregation.


[Modification in lipoproteins and hepatic and fecal cholesterol levels induced by exogenous lithium in rats on an atherogenic diet]. Rats fed atherogenetic diet and drinking-water containing a well known Li+ concentration show, in comparation to atherogenetic rats which do not receive lithium, an expressive reduction of haematic lipids and hepatic cholesterol with a contemporaneous cholesterol increase in stools. Lipoprotidogram examinations prove that exogenous Li+ is able to prevent the haematic lipoproteins alterations produces by atherogenetic nourishment; electrophoretic pattern of these animals is indeed the same of the one obtained for rats fed usual basal diet and drinking-water.


[Bone and neurological complications in a patient undergoing prolonged hemodialysis]. A case observed by chance and thereafter examined and treated is reported. It involved a vertebral fracture which failed to be recognized in a patient undergoing prolonged haemodialysis.


[Monolateral thrombosis of the carotid artery. Contribution of cases]. The clinical problems posed by a series of partial or total monolateral carotid occlusions complicated by cerebral infarction are discussed. Emphasis is laid on the frequent aspecificity of the symptomatology, the inconsistency of palpatory and auscultatory findings in the cervical region, and the value of certain medical techniques that may precede angiographic diagnosis. Considering the lack of reports in the literature, a case in which carotid stenosis was considered to be of luetic nature is noteworthy. Prophylactic treatment designed to prevent another cerebral attack hinges essentially on the correction of arterial hypertension and on the use of antiaggregating drugs. Endarterectomy is contraindicated by the presence of limiting factors.


[Risk factors in cerebral apoplexy. Epidemiological study]. Acute cerebral vascular diseases are of social as well as clinical interest, since, together with myocardial infarct, they constitute the prime cause of death. Yet their treatment is still confined to the combatting the collateral factors of cerebral damage, since drugs of an aetiological type cannot be employed. The study of the aetiopathogenetic factors of cerebral infarct is thus of considerable importance in the establishment of its prophylactic management. An epidemiological assessment was made of prior risk factors: arterial hypertension, heart disease, and changes in fat and sugar metabolism in 1748 cases of acute cerebral vasculopathy. The data obtained are compared with those in the literature.


[Acetylcholine-angiotensin interaction on the electric activity of teniae coli]. It was tested on guinea-pig "Taenia-Coli" the interaction between ATN II and Ach in order to elucidate if there is an antagonism or an independence in the action of the two substances. It was concluded that there is no antagonism but a certain degree of interference.


A trial of isolating a tumor-like form of pulmonary cavities infected with aspergilli. 1. Preoperative data, diagnostic difficulties. A retrospective analysis was made of the case histories, clinical course and results of auxiliary examinations in 10 patients with tumor-like lung shadows, which preoperatively were suspected of aspergilloma, tuberculoma, malignant tumor or "tumor". The postoperative diagnosis being known, the preoperative diagnosis difficulties were analyzed. Aside from only one patient in whom a correct diagnosis was reached, and despite numerous examinations indicated by suspicious, diagnoses were imprecise, with two or three alternatives. Although not performed systematically, the preoperative mycologic sputum studies and serologic tests were negative. Nevertheless, in four cases, fungal etiology of the tumor was suspected, three of them with single bronchiectasis and blocked bronchus. Examination of operative specimens led to the isolation of a little known form of pulmonary aspergillosis, which in the second part of this study (6) was named tumor-like blocked cystic space with liquid contents infected with aspergilli (TBLA).


Relationship of myocardial infarction to presence of angina pectoris in patients with coronary heart disease: lack of abolition of angina by infarction. To evaluate the relationship between myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, history of symptomatic coronary heart disease was analyzed in 146 patients who had had documented myocardial infarction. There were 126 males and 70 females of mean age 55 years (range 32 to 70 years). Infarction had occurred 6 to 63 months prior to the study (mean: 30 months). Angina pectoris occurred at some time during the clinical course of 75 patients (51%), and 71 patients (49%) had not experienced angina. In the majority of the group with angina (n = 39; 52%) the symptom had not been present before infarction, appearing initially thereafter. Angina was present both before and after infarction in 31 patients (41%). In only 5 patients (7%) was precedent angina lost after infarction. Angina was, therefore, present in 70 of 146 patients (48%) after, compared to 36 patients (25%) before, infarction and in 86% (31/36) of patients with angina before infarction it persisted following the attack. Prior angina following myocardial infarction was not related to increased activity since in the majority of patients activity level was less after than before infarction. Post-infarction cardiac failure, which developed in 9 patients who had prior angina, was not associated with abolition of angina in any of this group. It is concluded that: 1. angina is frequent after myocardial infarction, 2. when present before infarction it usually persists thereafter, 3. angina commonly appears as a new symptom after infarction when not previously present and 4. disappearance of angina after infarction is distinctly uncommon.


Persistent atrial standstill developed in a patient with rheumatic heart disease: electrophysiological and histological study. A case with persistent atrial standstill is presented which developed from atrial fibrillation associated with rheumatic combined valvular heart disease. In addition to clinical and electrocardiographic findings, electrophysiological and histological studies by using microelectrode technique and electron microscopy, respectively, were carried out on specimens from the right atrial appendage resected at mitral valve surgery. Scattered but severe loss of myocardial cells in the atria and deterioration of the action potential of these poorly sustained myocardial cells were confirmed. The suggestive evidence is also shown that the deteriorated action potential observed by micro-electrode technique in this case may be composed of calcium current.


Antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with rheumatic heart disease and prosthetic devices. Prophylaxis is defined as: "measures designed to preserve health and prevent the spread of disease" (18). Two implicit parts to such a definition are first, that what is being prevented causes disease, and second, that the measure(s) proposed prevents this disease. We will briefly review the evidence that patients with rheumatic heart disease and/or prosthetic cardiac devices are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from infection and further that antibiotics reduce this morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic prophylaxis is undertaken in patients with rheumatic heart disease and in those with prosthetic devices for two purposes: 1. prevention of reccurrences of rheumatic fever; and, 2. prevention of infective endocarditis. These are two different issues which will be discussed separately.


Effect of carbocromen induced coronary vasodilatation on myocardial metabolism in coronary artery disease. Myocardial metabolism was studied during coronary vasodilatation by carbocromen during atrial pacing in patients with coronary arteriosclerotic disease. Coronary sinus flow was measured by the continuous infusion thermodilution technique. Carbocromen increased myocardial flow by the same amount at rest and during pacing-induced tachycardia. The administration of carbocromen did not interfere with myocardial oxygen consumption, free fatty acid (FFA) uptake, pulmonary or systemic hemodynamics. Atrial pacing above the anginal threshold increased lactate and hypoxanthine excretion to the coronary sinus, but to a greater extent during carbocromen treatment. Thus, carbocromen is a specific coronary vasodilator acting independently of pacing induced vasodilatation. Metabolic data indicate a small but unfavourable effect on ischemic metabolism which might be due to a "coronary steal".


Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure response to atrial pacing in idiopathic mitral valve prolapse. The response of several parameters of left ventricular function to right atrial pacing was compared in 21 patients with idiopathic mitral valve prolapse and 10 normal patients. An inability to appropriately lower left ventricular end-diastolic pressure with increasing rates was demonstrated in the mitral valve prolapse group. This abnormality was not related to mitral regurgitation or factors other than ventricular performance per se.


The role of cross-sectional echocardiography in the diagnosis of flail mitral leaflet. Cross-sectional echocardiography was performed on two patients with mitral regurgitation in whom M-mode echocardiographic findings were not specific for the etiology of mitral regurgitation. In one patient, flail motion of the free edge of the anterior mitral leaflet into the left atrium was demonstrated only by cross-sectional echocardiograms. In the second patient, the flail posterior mitral leaflet was suggested to be a result of bacterial endocarditis. Cross-sectional echocardiograms clearly identified a flail motion of a mass of vegetation attached to the posterior mitral leaflet. Thus, cross-sectional echocardiography can provide critical information in recognizing patients with a flail mitral leaflet.


Effects of metoprolol on heart rate in patients with digitalis treated chronic atrial fibrillation. Adequate control of ventricular rate in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) may not be achieved with digitalis alone. In the present study the additional effect of two different doses (50 mg and 50 +/- 50 mg) of oral metoprolol, a new selective beta-blocking agent, on ventricular rate in patients with longstanding AF has been studied. A decrease in the mean ventricular rate during rest and during exercise at various work loads was observed after both doses. The effect was more pronounced at the highest work load of 80 W, both after 50 mg (p less than 0.002) and after 50 +/- 50 mg (p less than 0.01) of the drug. A high initial heart rate at rest or during exercise was reduced more by the drug than a lower one. Exercise tolerance was reduced in 2 patients. These results suggest that patients with AF in whom satisfactory control of heart rate cannot be achieved with digitalis alone may benefit from addition of individualized metoprolol therapy.


Differences in platelet aggregation in coronary sinus and aortic blood in patients with coronary artery disease: effect of propranolol. Platelet aggregation was studied in aortic and coronary sinus blood samples obtained from 18 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Using epinephrine and ADP as aggregating agents, platelet aggregation was lower in coronary venous blood than in aortic blood. In nine patients on long-term propranolol therapy, platelet aggregation was lower in both aortic and coronary venous blood compared to the nine patients not taking propranolol. Four other subjects without angiographic evidence of coronary disease exhibited no difference in platelet aggregation in aortic and coronary sinus blood. These data suggest that platelet aggregation is lower in the coronary venous blood of certain patients with coronary disease and chronic propranolol treatment may reduce aggregation in both aortic and coronary sinus blood.


Relationship between uncomfortable loudness level and acoustic reflex threshold as a function of hearing loss. While many studies examined the relationship between Acoustic Reflex Threshold (ART) and Uncomfortable Loudness Level (UCL) and the possibility of predicting one from the other, no study to the authors' knowledge has shown the relationship between these two measures with respect to hearing loss, and uses such a relationship to predict either measure from the other plus the hearing loss. To achieve these relationships and uses, 80 Ss were studied, 20 in each of 4 groups, with normal hearing and with mild, moderate, and severe noise-induced hearing loss. ARTs and UCLs were obtained at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kc/s. The results demonstrated that db sensation level (SL) of ART and UCL were highly correlated with pure-tone hearing threshold level (HTL). An equation was derived: UCL (in db SL) - ART (in db SL) = 6 - .05 HTL, which shows that the relationship between ART and UCL varies as a function of hearing loss. Data from other studies were compared and discussed.


Backward and forward masking with reproducible noise bursts. This study investigated the effects of two "frozen" narrow-band waveforms with different waveform envelopes 50 msec in duration and centered at 250 Hz, on temporal masking at short masking intervals and, further, assessed the effects of phase shifts on backward and forward masking. Four normal-hearing experienced Ss detected a monaurally presented 250-Hz tone burst, 12 msec in duration, that either preceded, occurred simultaneously with, or followed a burst of the narrow-band noise. A 2IFC technique was used with a transformed up-down procedure for threshold estimation. The masking intervals from onset of masker to onset of tonal pulse ranged from -30 to +70 msec. The 3 phasic conditions for the signal were in-phase, 90 degrees out-of-phase, and 180 degrees out-of-phase. Results of this experiment substantiated the data of other researchers who have shown greater backward than forward masking at short masking intervals and greater masking was found for all simultaneous conditions than for any of the backward or forward masking conditions. In addition, differences between the two noise waveforms, as well as the phase shifts, had a significant effect on the thresholds obtained for the backward and forward masking conditions, as well as for the simultaneous masking conditions. Criterion change and waveform storage are discussed as possibly having an effect up these variables.


Auditory temporal resolution: effects of sensation level. Experienced Ss identified (2IFC) the signal complex that contained a gap. When the complexes were of the same frequency, gap detection remained constant over the durations employed (up to 300 msec). When duration of the signal was 10 msec no changes in gap threshold occurred over the range of frequency disparities between signals (up to 120 Hz at F0 = 1 kHz). However, as signal duration increased (beyond 10 msec) there was an increase in gap threshold with increased frequency disparity. The degradation in gap threshold was greater for longer-duration events. Gap threshold was shown to decrease as a function of increase in intensity of the signals.


Effect of firetruck noise on firefighters' hearing. Noise exposure of Minneapolis city firefighters was measured in 3 categories of fire apparatus. Maximum SPL of 110 db(A) and mean duration of 23 min/day do not exceed OSHA guidelines. The means pure-tone ac HTLs of a Group A of 17 men of 23-28 yrs with 0.75-2 yrs firefighting experience did not differ significantly from those of a comparable group of older men of 30-35 yrs with 8.25-10.9 yrs firefighting experience. Mean HTLs for both groups exceeded those of men of comparable age groups with no noise exposure tested by Corso, but at the lower frequencies only (0.5-4 kc/s), not at the higher (6-8 kc/s). Previous military and concurrent recreational noise exposure may have masked differences between Group A and B.


Hearing impairment in children of low birthweight. Audiometer evaluations were carried out on a population of 204 low birth weight (LBW) children and 123 controls. In the LBW group, 6 children (3.3%) had a bilateral loss and 5 (2.5%) had a unilateral sensorineural high-frequency hearing loss. No case of sensorineural hearing loss was found among the controls. There were 13 (6.4%) cases of conductive loss among the LBW sample, compared with 3 (2.4%) among the controls. Correlation coefficients showed a relationship between sensorineural impairment and: bilirubin level, incubator time, antibiotic history, and neurological status. Subsequent multiple classification analyses showed that, while incubator time and bilirubin level are each significant predictors of sensorineural loss, this is not the case with antibiotics or neurological status. Neurological status was closely associated with the syndrome of LBW, high bilirubin level, extended incubator time and sensorineural loss. However, no significant relationship could be found between neurological impairment and these predictors nor can it be regarded as useful in predicting hearing loss in this population.


The effects of practice on 8-10-yr-old children using the Staggered Spondaic Word Test. Katz' Staggered Spondaic Word (SSW) Test was given at 50 db re SRT to 20 normal right-handed children aged 8 - 10 yrs. Half the Ss heard items 1 - 40 in that order, half heard the order Items 21-40, 1-20. Groups yielded similar total scores. For both groups there were no significant L-R ear differences. Practice on a prior 20 items had a significant effect on later responses to competing stimuli in a later 20-item test. There were too few errors on non-competing stimuli for meaningful analysis. Four practice items as provided by a standard version of this test were determined to be too few with children of this age.


The effect of sectioning auditory centrifugal fibers on the cochlear microphonic and action potential in guinea pigs. This investigation on 8 guniea pigs determined the immediate effect on the cochlear microphonic (CM) and action potential (AP) of ipsilateral sectoning of the autitory centrifugal fibers. An acoustic signal was used to evoke the CM and AP of one ear of guinea pig and the homolateral olivo-cochlear bundle and lateral lemniscus were then sectioned. Differences between pre- and post-section CM and AP were measured. The results demonstrated an increase in the CM and a decrease in the AP in all animals. Speculation with regard to the overall function of the auditory centrifugal system was offered.


Kinetics of sodium in rabbit arterial wall: inability of aldosterone to alter extra to intracellular distribution. Transport rate constants (kij) describing the kinetics of Na exchanges in isolated rabbit aorta wall were determined by a previously established method involving the use of 22Na as a tracer and digital computer simulation without recourse to ancillary chemical measurements of extracellular space. A three compartment model consisting of (i) extracellular, (ii) intracellular and (iii) subcellular spaces (compartments) was found to describe adequately the kinetics of 22Na. Normative values for intercompartmental kij and extra to intracellular Na ratio were established. It appears that the Na extracellular space in rabbit arterial wall is larger than that in dog or rat arterial wall. Surprisingly, at variance with several tissues of different species (dog, rat, mouse and human tissues), aldosterone did not influence the extra to intracellular distribution of Na. The findings are interpreted in the light of results obtained previously by other workers using entirely unrelated methodologies and suggest that species difference is an important factor to consider when studying effects of aldosterone on tissue electrolyte distribution in the rabbit.


Glucocorticoid receptors in human fetal lung. A specific dexamethasone binding protein of human fetal lung is described. Characterization of the receptor by sucrose density gradient centrifugation showed a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 7S (low ionic strength) and 4S (high ionic strength). Competition studies showed high specificity for glucocorticoids since binding of radioactive dexamethasone was inhibited by cortisol and corticosterone but not by testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol. Uptake of radioactive steroid by isolated lung nuclei required the presence of cytosol and was temperature dependent. The KCl-extractable nuclear complex sedimented at approximately 5S. Thus the dexamethasone binding components of the human fetal lung have properties similar to those described for steroid receptors present in target tissues. The concentration of receptor remained fairly constant between 15 and 28 weeks of gestation.


Iodine content of human tissues after administration of iodine containing drugs or contrast media. Total iodine contents were determined in 209 bioptic or autoptic specimens of various extrathyroidal tissues. Fifty-two of the 80 subjects examined had no previous exposure to excessive iodine, 24 were tested after administration of x-ray contrast media and 4 after treatment with various iodine containing drugs. Unexposed subjects had tissue iodine contents (mean +/- SD) ranging from 0.85 +/- 0.17 microgram/100 g in the brain and 9.78 +/- 2.75 microgram/100 g in the liver of adults. A significantly lower iodine concentration was found in the liver of newborns (2.79 +/- 1.00 microgram, p less than 0.001). Most of the other tissues had iodine concentrations of 2-4 microgram/100 g. Subjects with previous exposure to iodine containing drugs or x-ray contrast media showed increased iodine contents of various degree in all examined tissues, including adipose tissue, bone, brain, kidney, liver, lung, skeletal muscle, skin and spleen. Accumulation of iodine in adipose tissue was still demonstrable more than two years after cholecystography.


Effect of hyperglycemia on the growth hormone response to L-dopa in diabetic subjects. Plasma growth hormone (GH) levels were measured before and after oral administration of L-dopa in 8 insulin-dependent juvenile diabetic patients, and in 6 non insulin-dependent maturity-onset diabetics, while they were hyperglycemic, and values were compared with those of normal children and adult subjects. Maturity-onset diabetics failed to show an increase in serum GH levels after L-dopa administration, while serum peak GH values of juvenile diabetic patients were not significantly different from those of normal adults and children. Hyperglycemia thus failed to prevent L-dopa induced growth hormone response in insulin-dependent juvenile diabetic patients.


Panhypopituitarism and anemia secondary to traumatic fracture of the sella turcica. A case of a 27 year old man who developed anemia after fracture of the sella turcica is reported. The diagnosis of anterior pituitary insufficiency was made by a combined provocative test with TRH, LHRH, and insulin. The anemia was characterized by a hypocellular bone marrow which appeared to be functioning only in the thoracic-lumbar vertebrae, an absence of measurable erythropoietic activity, and by the return to normal of the hematological findings after hormonal replacement therapy. This patient had the highly unusual combination of proven panhypopituitarism and significant anemia resulting from a distinct fracture of the sella turcica.


Postnatal development of pituitary-thyroid function in male and female rats: comparison of plasma and thyroid T3 and T4 concentration. Plasma T4, T3, and TSH, and total and 131l-labeled T4 and T3 in thyroid digests were determined in male and female rats from birth to 30--45 days postnatally. Mothers and offspring were fed a high-iodine Purina diet throughout. In both sexes, plasma T4 was less than 1 microgram/100ml at birth but rose linearly to a peak of 6--7 micrograms/100 ml at day 15. Plasma T3 remained low at 30--40 ng/100 ml until day 10, then rose steeply to 80--100 ng/100 ml at day 20--30. Plasma TSH had a bimodal distribution with an early peak in the intial 1--2 weeks of life and a second rise after day 30. Adult pattern sex differences in plasma TSH appeared by day 30. Labeled T3 was undetectable in thyroid digests until after day 7. Both labeled and stable T3 and T4 concentration and T3/T4 ratios rose progressively during the first 2 weeks of life. After day 7, stable and labeled intrathyroidal T3/T4 ratios were significantly correlated, but the latter was always higher than the former for any given age.