[Importance of moulds in the morphogenesis of pulmonary changes in chronic infantile granulomatosis]. A brief clinical and a rather detailed histological decription is given of three male siblings suffering from chronic granulomatosis. Two types of granulomas were indentified. One of them occurring extrapulmonally resembled the specific tuberculous granuloma with caseation, but tuberculous bacilli not demonstrated. The other type of granuloma was found in the lungs and was composed of a leucocytic core surrounded by an epithelioid cellular rim containing giant cells. In all the three cases such granulomas were shown to contain mould filaments of the aspergillus type.


[Bronchocentric pulmonary granulomatosis]. A case of bronchocentric pulmonary granulomatosis as observed in a male aged 49 appeared as morphologically identical with the series of cases described by Liebow. In the case presented here, however, the disease took a progressive course with a lethal outcome in spite of a long-term treatment with high doses of corticoids.


[Diagnostic significance of the evidence of C cells in the thyroid gland]. Presented here are the experiences with bringing the Grimelius method to bear on the routine evidence for C cells of the thyroid gland. Marked positive results of examination, with a great deal of well-depicted C cells, are found to be in direct connection with hypocalcimia within one year's period.


[Radiation changes of the lungs following irradiation for carcinoma]. Moderately edematous lungs were ascertained in four cases of radiation pneumonitis causing death in connection with irradiating the carcinoma of the lungs by way of currently used orthovoltage actinotherapy. Histologically the most conspicuous were the findings of the hyaline alveolar membrane and the cellular atypia of endothel of the alveoles and the lymph-ducts.


[Malignant ovarian struma in pseuomucinous cystadenoma]. In a female aged 64, a large pseudomucinous cystadenoma was found, containing a predominantly follicular carcinoma originating in an ovarian goiter in the subcapsular portion of the ovary. The tumour invaded the surroinding tissues assuming a scirrhotic character. At operation, no peritoneal metastases were recorded. No other teratogenic components were found within the tumour.


[Detection of components of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatocytes]. In fifty cases of hepatic processes, concominant with serological positivity to the so-called "Australian antigen", positivity was demonstrated, by biopsy in 53 per cent of cases and by necropsy in 44 per cent of cases, by way of orceine dyeing according to Shikata, and the results were better when due to formaldehyde rather than glutaraldehyde fixation. An electronoptical correlate of HBSAg formed microtubular and filamentous structures only partly connected with the smooth endoplasmatic reticule. Intranuclear presence of HBcAg could not be unequivocally demonstrated but in one case there were found in the paranuclear area structures corresponding to Dane's corpuscle formation.


[Analysis of motivation in attempted suicides of sniffing addicts]. The authors examined a group of 30 addicts, each of whom had attempted a suicide, once at least, irrespective of the mode of performance. They analysed the motivation and the causes leading the adolescent addicts to suicidal attempts. The suicidal attempts were shown to occur under acute intoxication in 83.3 per cent of cases. Most frequently, the mode of the suicidal attempt was drastic, as e.g. cutting the antebrachial and the wrist veins in 56.6 per cent of cases. In 43.3 per cent of cases there occurred mild encephalopathies. A history of delinquent behaviour was recorded in 63.3 per cent of cases. Eighty per cent of the addicts originated from defective families or had other adverse social conditions. In 80 per cent addiction of psychotropic substances of more than one year duration was noted. Addiction of more than one drug was recorded in 90 per cent of cases. Most probably, volatile psychotropic substances act as "accelerators" in this connection, deteriorating the personality alterations of encephalopathic and psychopathic origin already present, thus conditioning the motivation of suicidal attempts. This finding may be of significance in aiding the forensic psychology and the medicolegal expertise of realized suicides.


[Use of gas chromatography--mass spectrometry system in toxicology]. In the presented paper experiences with the practical usage of gas chromatography - mass spectrometry system are given. Cases of the identification of forbidden doping drugs and some significant groups of medicaments are described. The possibility of the identification of drug metabolites and interfering substances is pointed as well. Examples of chemical ionization usage are given from literature papers. This work points out the advantages of both methods for the identification of drugs in biological material. The priority and possibility of both procedures are evaluated critically.


The interaction of rheumatoid factor with hepatitis B surface antigen-antibody complexes. A solid phase radioimmunoassay was developed in which the hepatitis B surface antigen was adsorbed to the surface of plastic beads. When the antigen-coated beads were incubated with human IgG antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen, immune complexes were formed on the solid phase surface. IgM rheumatoid factor was found to bind to the hepatitis B surface antigen-antibody complexes but not to the antigen or the IgG antibody alone. Since both hepatitis B surface antigen-antibody complexes and rheumatoid factor are commonly present in type B viral hepatitis, it is suggested that rheumatoid factor may play a role in the pathogenesis of this viral disease in man.


In vitro transfer of tumour-specific immunity with human 'immune' RNA. In vitro tumour-specific immunity against lung cancer was passively transferred in the leucocyte migration inhibition system with 'immune' RNA in man; 'non-immune' RNA, on the other hand, failed to transfer such immunity, indicating the specificity of 'immune' RNA.


Populations of lymphocytes separated from human thymocytes. Thymocytes from twenty-two human foetal and post-natal thymuses were separated according to their buoyant density. Thymocytes from eight were separated into multiple fractions by means of continuous gradients of bovine serum albumin (BSA), pH 5.1 and iso-osmolar with human cells, and thymocytes from fourteen were separated into two fractions of density less than and greater than 1.068 g/cm3. Fractions were tested for antigen-binding lymphocytes (ABL) to 125I-labelled human thyroglobulin, for response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and for rosette-forming cells (RFC) using sheep red blood cells. For subjects of all ages there was a pronounced enrichment of both ABL and thymocytes responsive to PHA amoung low or 1.064-1.065 g/cm3 density thymocytes. In older subjects there was a second enrichment of ABL among high or 1.072-1.073 g/cm3 density thymocytes. RFC were distributed over a wider range of densities, and although they did not form a discrete subpopulation they predominated among high density thymocytes.


Age involution in the normal human adult thymus. Thymic biopsies taken under general anaesthetic prior to partial thyroidectomy for non-toxic nodular goitre were studied with histometric techniques: evidence is presented that the tissue studied is representative of the normal adult human thymus. The pattern of age involution of the normal adult thymus is described: there is a striking sex difference in the curves of involution, due to differences in behaviour of the cortex.


A quantitative evaluation of anticoagulants in experimental nephrotoxic nephritis. The protective effects of anticoagulants in nephrotoxic nephritis in rabbits have been studied, using various doses of heparin and defibrination with ancrod. Massive doses of heparin (2000 units/kg/day) were required before significant reduction in glomerular fibrin deposition, extracepillary cell proliferation and urea retention occurred. Doses of 300 and 1000 units/kg/day were insufficient to modify fibrin deposition and cell proliferation. Defibrination with ancrod provided protection, judged by histological and functional criteria, comparable to 2000 units of heparin/kg/day; but fibrin could still be demonstrated in the glomeruli of animals treated with 2000 units of heparin/kg/day, contrasting with the virtual absence of fibrin in animals given ancrod.


Cell damage and dye reduction in the quantitative nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test. Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) is toxic to neutrophils; an effect which is greatly enhanced by endotoxin and latex particles. Cell damage, measured by the release of the cytoplasmic marker enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), was closely related to dye reduction. This suggests that, in this test, dye reduction occurs largely as a result of contact between intracellular reducing compounds and NBT following damage of the outer cell membrane. The expression of dye reduction as a function of LDH release should enhance the sensitivity of the quantitative NBT test by correcting for the observed intersubject variation in cell damage. The relationship between cell damage and dye reduction is a measure of the reducing capacity of the cell. This was normal in immature, bone marrow neutrophils, but diminished in neutrophils of patients with chronic granulomatous disease.


Contact sensitivity in alloxan-diabetic mice. Alloxan-diabetic mice of Swiss, CBA and DBA/2 strains show a significant depression of contact sensitivity to oxazolone, as compared with normoglycaemic control animals, which is accompanied by the involution of the thymus and spleen. Insulin treatment partially restores the contact sensitivity in diabetic animals and also increases the weight of lymphatic organs. In contrast, the non-specific inflammatory response to oxazolone is not impaired in insulin-deficient mice. Further experiments have shown that neither sensitized lymphocytes of control animals given to diabetic mice, nor sensitized lymphocytes of diabetic mice injected into normoglycaemic recipients, were able to transfer passively any significant contact sensitivity. It is suggested that in alloxan-diabetic mice the function of T lymphocytes is affected.


Circadian rhythms in cell migration in vitro, and its effect on antigen-induced migration inhibition. White cell migration from capillary tubes has been studied using blood taken from man and rats over a 24-hr period. When the blood white cell count was lowest in both species, the migration areas were maximal. In man, this variation did not affect the migration index obtained in response to a specific antigen.


Modulation of the immune response to transplantation antigens. V. A comparison of the effects of antilymphocytic serum and enhancing alloantiserum on effector mechanisms of allograft rejection. Administration of antilymphocytic serum (ALS) or alloantiserum at the time of graft both stimulate enhanced growth of a tumour allograft, but the effect of alloantiserum is weaker and more dependent on dose. Both antisera suppress (or delay) the development of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity, and partly inhibit the development of activated, cytostatic macrophages. Apart from these central or afferent effects, ALS added to an in vitro culture of immune effector cells and EL4 target cells strongly inhibits cytotoxicity, while in this model, alloantiserum is less effective in this respect. The relevance of the effects observed in vitro to in vivo facilitation of allografts is discussed.


K-cell cytotoxic activity in the spleen and lymph nodes of tumour-bearing mice. The cytotoxic activity of spleen and lymph node cells from female CBA mice bearing a methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma on target cells coated with anti-target cell antibody has been investigated. Spleen cells from tumour-bearing mice caused a significantly greater degree of target cell lysis than did spleen cells from control mice. This increase in cytotoxicity was most apparent when a ratio of ten lymphoid cells to one target cell was used. With control mice, the mean cytotoxic index was 13.54 +/- 1.05 (s.e.m.) as compared to 55.00 +/- 6.11 with tumour-bearing mice. An increase in the cytotoxic activity of lymph node cells was also noted. In control mice, the cytotoxic index, using a ratio of 100:1 was 8.55 +/- 2.27. In tumour-bearing mice, the mean cytotoxic activity of the draining lymph node was 21.66 +/- 4.96, and of the contralateral lymph node, 13.00 +/- 3.46.


Reduced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in systemic lupus erythematosus. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells from twenty-three patients with SLE were studied. They showed a reduction in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. This reduction was significantly related to disease activity. No correlations were found with other clinical features. Some of the possible explanations for this finding are discussed.


Polymorphonuclear activation in leprosy. I. Spontaneous and endotoxin-stimulated reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium: effects of serum and plasma on endotoxin-induced activation. Spontaneous nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction was evaluated in neutrophils from patients with the different types and forms of leprosy, and compared with reduction obtained form cells from normal controls. Leucocytes from the same subjects were stimulated in vitro by endotoxin, and the rise in percentage of cells reducing NBT was determined. Patients of all groups, with the exception of those with reactional lepromatous leprosy (RLL) had an essentially normal proportion of reducing cells. Neutrophils were normally activated by endotoxin. This indicates that while Mycobacterium leprae does not by itself stimulate leucocytes from leprosy patients, there is no overall anergy of neutrophils in lepromatous or other forms of leprosy. In RLL the proportion of reducing cells was significantly raised. Stimulation with endotoxin was able further to enhance this proportion, but not above levels reached by stimulation of normal cells. Neutrophil activation could not be reproduced by mixing serum from highly activated RLL patients with normal leucocytes. An inhibitory effect of serum and plasma over in vitro endotoxin activation of neutrophils was found.


In vitro production of IgE by lymphocytes from a patient with hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E, eosinophilia and increased lymphocytes carrying surface IgE. The peripheral blood lymphocytes of a patient with massive hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E were used for in vitro studies. The serum IgE ranged from 140,000-210,000 u/ml. Peripheral blood lymphocytes had approximately 7% of cells staining for surface IgE. When these cells were cultured in vitro, IgE was produced as measured by the double antibody radioimmunoassay technique. The total IgE produced ranged from 140 to 484 units per 24 hr in different cultures. IgE production was greatest in the first 24 hr of culture and declined progressively thereafter. Some cultures still had measurable IgE at 48 hr. If the lymphocytes staining for surface IgE were the cells producing the IgE, it was estimated that between 1-7 and 2-8 molecules per cell per second were produced. No definite effect of concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen or phytohaemagglutinin on in vitro IgE production could be demonstrated under the conditions of these experiments.


Depression of immune competence by phenytoin and carbamazepine. Studies in vivo and in vitro. Depression of one or more parameters of cellular and/or humoral immune responses was found in 60% of general hospital patients treated with phenytoin and 47% of patients treated with carbamazepine. Phenytoin-treated patients failed to manifest delayed hypersensitivity (DHS) reactions to common antigens, and to make antibody to Salmonella typhi and tetanus toxoid. Serum levels of IgA and IgM, DNA synthesis in circulating leucocytes, and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induced deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis were also low. Depression of IgA, DHS reactivity and antibody responsiveness to S. typhi were shown to develop after the commencement of phenytoin therapy in a study of eleven patients. The presence of immunological defects was independent of the dosage of drug, its serum concentration, the duration of therapy and the sex of the subject. Studies in vitro provided evidence that immunosuppression was the result of a direct effect of phenytoin on the metabolism of lymphoid cells. Carbamazepine was shown to have a similar but less potent direct effect. Pharmacological concentrations of phenytoin caused a significant depression of DNA synthesis in PHA-stimulated and non-stimulated blood cell cultures in vitro. High concentrations in addition caused depression of cell counts, lymphocyte blastogenesis, ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis. Phenytoin was not cytocidal at concentrations of up to 125 mug/ml. Depression of DNA synthesis by phenytoin was maximal when phenytoin was added within 4-8 hr of the addition of PHA. PHA-induced DNA synthesis was not significantly affected by pre-incubation with phenytoin. In vivo, the presence of immunological defects was not related to phenytoin-induced folic acid deficiency. High concentrations of carbamazepine, but not phenobarbitone or diazepam caused a significant depression of PHA-stimulated DNA synthesis in blood cell cultures. The data show that immunosuppression is a common side-effect of phenytoin therapy, and that lymphoma is rare. They suggest that in the presence of phenytoin-induced immunosuppression another factor, or factors are required to induce the formation of lymphoma.


The effects of defibrination with ancrod in experimental allergic glomerular injury. Quantitative studies of the effects of defibrination (with ancrod) have been undertaken in two forms of allergic glomerular damage, nephrotoxic serum nephritis and acute serum sickness in rabbits. No differences in intrarenal fixation of nephrotoxic antibody, complement activation or host antibody response were detected between defibrinated and untreated rabbits with nephrotoxic serum nephritis. Defibrination prevented intraglomerular fibrin deposition in this disease; but some glomerular damage as shown by a rise in blood urea and endothelial proliferation still occurred in defibrinated animals. No differences in immune elimination of BSA, circulating immune complex formation or intrarenal localization of immune complexes were noted in defibrinated animals with acute serum sickness. No intraglomerular fibrin deposition was detected in treated or untreated animals in this disease model. It is concluded that the protective effects of ancrod are directly related to defibrination, and not to any other modification of allergic events.


Platelet aggregation by isolated and aggregated human IgG. Isolated myeloma proteins of the four human IgG subclasses, aggregated by heat of bis-diazotized benzidine (BDB), induced aggregation of human platelets (Pl.A.) demonstrable by the sedimentation pattern test. With this sensitive technique, approximately 0-1 mug/ml of BDB-aggregated IgG1 and IgG3 could be detected whereas 200 to 1000 times higher concentrations of IgG2 and IgG4 were required for the Pl.A. reaction. The reaction pattern showed similarities with complement fixation tests.


Formalinized tumour cells in the leucocyte migration inhibition test. Immunization studies indicate that formalinized tumour cells retain at least part of their gross membrane structure and antigenicity; they are relatively easy to prepare and store well over a period of months. We have used formalinized tumour cells as antigen in the leucocyte migration inhibition test. Leucocyte migration inhibition occurred in leucocytes from thirty-eight out of sixty-nine malignant melanoma patients and from fifty-five out of eight-one breast cancer patients when in contact with formalinized tumour cells of a histologically similar type. Melanoma patients' and breast cancer patients' leucocytes were infrequently inhibited on contact with cells from histologically dissimilar human tumours and from xenogeneic mouse melanomas. Other advantages of formalinized cells over antigens prepared by homogenizing tumour tissue include a greater degree of inhibition and the ability to demonstrate a dose-response relationship between the ratio of leucocytes:tumour cells and the migration index.


An absolute requirement for serum macromolecules in phytohaemagglutinin-induced human lymphocyte DNA synthesis. We have examined the effect of different variables such as tissue culture media, with or without various supplements, lymphocyte isolation techniques, lymphocyte contamination by autologous red blood cells and platelets, and lymphocyte numbers, on the requirement for serum during phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induced DNA synthesis in human lymphocytes. At all mitogen doses tested, we have found that dialysable constituents of serum enrich the ability of all tissue culture media to support lymphocyte DNA synthesis; however, human lymphocytes display an absolute requirement for nondialysable macromolecular constituents of serum in order to synthesize DNA.


Circadian rhythmicity of human plasma cortisol and PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation. In two experiments, lymphocytes from six healthy subjects were sampled every 4 hr, counted, and cultured with PHA. Plasma cortisol in the same blood samples was measured and showed an expected circadian variation in level. A circadian rhythm in lymphocyte transformability to PHA was found to coincide directly with the cortisol level but varied inversely with lymphocyte numbers. The relationship between cortisol and lymphocyte transformability could be fortuitous or might indicate a role for cortisol in controlling lymphocyte function in vivo.


HL-A3 and HL-A7 in pernicious anaemia and autoimmune atrophic gastritis. Increased frequencies of HL-A7 and the HL-A3,7 haplotype have been demonstrated in pernicious anaemia. There was no significant increase in any HL-A specificity in autoimmune atrophic gastritis. In the whole series of patients with either pernicious anaemia or atrophic gastritis there was a significant increase in the frequency of HL-A3. No association has been found between any HL-A specificity and an increased incidence of either serum gastric parietal cell or intrinsic factor antibody compared with the overall incidence in pernicious anaemia, atrophic gastritis or in the whole series.


Immunological studies in children with acute viral hepatitis. Sera from 116 consecutive unselected cases of sporadic acute viral hepatitis in children were examined for hepatitis B antigen (HBAg), smooth-muscle autoantibodies (SMA), other autoantibodies and immunoglobulins, and skin tests were performed with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). HBAg was detected in twenty-one and SMA in ninety-eight out of 116 sera that had been obtained during the 1st or 2nd week from the onset of jaundice. Hepatitis B antigen was present in seventeen out of the eighteen SMA negative patients (94-4%) and in only four out of the ninety-eight SMA-positive patients (4-1%). The presence of SMA was not related to the sex and age of the patients or to the serum bilirubin and transaminase levels. SMA did not persist for more than 6 weeks from the onset of jaundice in most of the cases. In twenty-eight out of forty-one sera which were tested the IgM level was found to be elevated during the acute phase of illness and within normal limits during the recovery stage. A negative correlation between the presence of SMA and the elevated serum IgM level and the presence of HB Ag in the same patients was observed. The DNCB skin test was found to be positive in all fifty-two patients who did not have HBAg in their serum and in twenty out of the twenty-one patients who had circulating HbAg. From these findings there appears to be no gross impairment of cell-mediated immunity in acute viral hepatitis, and hepatitis A is associated with SMA production and an increase in serum IgM levels, when compared to hepatitis associated with HBAg.


Immunoglobulin patterns in humans over 95 years of age. Immunoglobulin patterns were investigated in seventy-three volunteers older than 95 years. An idiopathic paraproteinaemia was found in 19% of the cases. A restriction of heterogeneity and an imbalance in the kappa/lambda ratio of the immunoglobulins was seen in a number of other sera. Determinations of immunoglobulin levels in sera of individuals without paraproteinaemia showed an increase in IgA and IgG. The quantitations of the IgG subclasses demonstrated that an increase in the IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses is responsible for the elevated level of the IgG. The variation in the immunoglobulin levels increased significantly with age of IgM and for the three major IgG subclasses. No abnormalities were found in the urine or in the mixed saliva. These results indicate that selective changes in the extent of the antibody-immunoglobulin repertoire characterize the immunoglobulin pattern of ageing man.


The influence of preoperative drug treatment on the extent of hyperplasia of the thymus in primary thyrotoxicosis. Thymic biopsies taken from women at the beginning of the operation of subtotal thyroidectomy were studied by the point-counting histometric technique. In all patients with primary thyrotoxicosis, the thymus is hyperplastic. After pretreatment with antithyroid drugs, the pattern of thymic involution with age is similar to, but at higher levels, than that in control groups of patients with non-toxic goitre in whom there is no evidence of immunological abnormality. By contrast, after propranolol pretreatment very little age involution is seen. The differences in the appearance of the thymus in female primary thyrotoxixosis patients prepared for operation with different drug treatment regimes are probably related to the pharmacological actions of the drugs and may indicate an interaction between primary immunological and secondary endocrinological factors in the disease process.


Studies on human IgD myeloma proteins. Carbohydrate composition of intact proteins and some proteolytic fragments. Human IgD myeloma proteins are shown to have a high carbohydrate content (9-18%) and to exhibit the same heterogeneity in carbohydrate content and composition as myeloma protein of the other immunoglobulin classes. All IgD proteins studied contain N-acetylgalactosamine which is contained in a carbohydrate moiety attached within the "hinge" region of the heavy chain whilst the bulk of the carbohydrate is attached within the Fcdelta region of the molecule.


Dermal exudate macrophages. Induction in dermal chambers and response to lymphokines. Chambers were implanted in the dorsum of guinea-pigs at the dermal-subcutaneous junction. Exudates were induced and harvested. Macrophages obtained were able to migrate in vitro. If procured from sensitized donors, macrophage migration was inhibited by the corresponding antigen. Dermal exudate macrophages are therefore subject to the effect of lymphokines. The chamber model may be useful for in vivo studies of cell to cell and cell-parasite interactions.


Basic principles of nuclear organization. The preceding discussion is summarized in Table 1. It is clear that the organization of the genetic material and the ability to transmit information to the cytoplasm involve a number of different components that must maintain specific chemical and physical relationships to one another. An alteration of any of these relationships could affect a variety of cellular processes, including development.


Clinico-biochemical, immunological, and morphological assessment of myocardial inflammatory reactions in myocardial necroses. In 328 patients with myocardial infarction, changes were followed occurring in the levels of haptoglobin (Hp) and chloride-soluble mucoprotein (CMP), heterogeneity of mucoprotein, and titres of anticardial antibodies. From the 2nd-3rd days after infarction, the levels of Hp, CMP, and 3rd and 4th mucoprotein fractions increased and remained elevated for 4 weeks; then the levels gradually sank, and normalized in the 7th-8th weeks after infarction. The anticardial antibody titres remained high from the 3rd to the 6th weeks. In 37 patients who died, the clinico-biochemical, immunobiological, and morphological findings were compared. It was found that assessments of the Hp and CMP levels as well as of mucoprotein heterogeneity make it possible to appraise the intensity of inflammatory reaction in myocardial necroses and thus facilitate the choice of differentiated antiinflammatory treatment of patients with myocardial infarction.


Effects of physical training on central haemodynamics and working capacity in myocardial infarction. Changes in central haemodynamics and physical working capacity were followed in 23 patients with myocardial infarction: in 12 of them, after six-month intense physical training, and in 11, after an equal control period without training. The haemodynamic indicators revealed after rehabilitation a significant decrease in the exercise heart rate in comparison with the unchanged value in the controls. The changes in the other haemodynamic values were not significant. The pulmonary arterial end-diastolic pressure, regarded as an indicator of the left ventricular filling pressure, sustained no significant change by the training. Some additional changes, such as decreases in the arterial and venous oxygen pressure both at rest and during exercise, were found in both groups of patients. The physical working capacity increased significantly after rehabilitation in comparison to the control group. It is emphasized that no adverse influence upon the central haemodynamics was revealed in patients with myocardial infarction after intense training according to WHO criteria.


The effect of atrial pacing on the mitral echocardiogram of mitral stenosis recorded simultaneously with haemodynamic data. Simultaneous mitral echocardiograms and haemodynamic data were recorded in six cases of mitral stenosis during atrial pacing. Due to the prolongation of the P-R interval during atrial pacing, the diastolic closure rate E-F was measurable up to a heart rate of 80 per min. only. At a heart rate of 80 or less, both in sinus rhythm and during atrial pacing the diastolic closure rate remained essentially the same in each case. However, above 80/min E-F became too short and post-atrial systolic closure A-B only was available for measurement which was higher in each case than its corresponding E-F value. This contrasts with cases with sinus rhythm where the diastolic closure rate E-F measurable up to a heart rate of 110 per minute.


An improved classification of ballistocardiographic changes. On the basis of a critical analysis of the most frequently used classifications of ballistocardiographic changes, an improved classification is proposed, which simultaneously respects the degree of pathological changes appraised according to Brown; the configurations and amplitudes of waves and segments, as well as their dependences on time. The proposed classification essentially accepts the symbols used in the classifications used up to the present, thus obviating errors and mistakes which the new classification might involve. The improved classification facilitates a better differentiation of first-degree pathological changes into those caused by disturbances of cardiovascular dynamics and those due to extracardial factors.


Tip surface changes in endocardial stimulation electrode, visualised by scanning electron microscopy. The authors have been probably the first investigators who applied scanning electron microscopy to studies of the changes occurring in the surface of the metalic tip of an endocardial stimulating electrode. They found a lowered conductivity for secondary electron emission, and describe the surface changes in a platiniridium-tipped electrode which had been used for almost four years, in comparison with an unused electrode.


Fractional composition and metabolism of proteins, and levels of polynucleotides, in canine heart in experimental myocardial infarction. In 108 dogs, experimental infarction of the left ventricular anterior wall was produced by ligation of the descending branch of left coronary artery, and the myocardium was tested for the total content, fractional composition, and metabolism of proteins as well as for the levels of nucleic acids. The most profound metabolic changes were found in the necrotic zone, where there occur an irreversible decrease in the content of soluble proteins, an accumulation of stromatic fractions, and an inhibition of fundamental reactions of nitrogen metabolism; during the period of organization of the infarct, the ribonucleic acid level steeply rises. In the intact left ventricular segment there occur changes analogous to those in the infarcted zone, but less intense; such changes combine with some alterations of rather compensatory nature, which, however, are characteristic of those myocardial segments in which the coronary circulation has not been disturbed.


[Effect of angiotensin II on the pattern of plasma free fatty acids in 2 hypertension models in rabbits]. The effect of exogenous angiotensin II on the spectrum of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in blood plasma was studied by gas-chromatographic analysis in 10 normotonic rabbits, 12 rabbits with experimental hypertension induced by sinoaortic denervation, and in 14 rabbits with experimental renal hypertension. One minute after injection of angiotensin II, the following changes were found in the spectrum of NEFA: increase in the fraction of saturated, and decrease in the fraction of unsaturated NEFA;the intensity of these changes was higher in the animals with renal hypertension than in those with hypertension induced by sinoaortic denervation, and lowest in the normotonic rabbits. Thirty to sixty minutes after injection the above changes further gained in intensity in both models of hypertension, whereas in normotonic rabbits the changes rather receded. A growing dominance of palmitic acid, persistent elevation of stearic acid, decreases in the levels of monoenolic oleic and palmitoleic acids as well as of polyenolic fatty acids were observed.


Action of E and A prostaglandins on isolated aorta of rats with spontaneous hypertension. The action of prostaglandins of the E and A groups on isolated aortic smooth muscle strips of rats with spontaneous hypertension (Okamoto-Aoki) (SHR) was investigated in order to follow up whether, and to what extent, an alteration of vascular reactivity exists in this model of hypertension, as well as to test the effect of vasodepressor prostaglandins on vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats. The experiments were carried out on aortic strips of 10 control normotensive rats, and of 10 SHR. The contractions of the isolated vessel strips were recorded by means of an induction coil displacement transducer on an ink-writing electron compensated registration device. The results of the study indicate that the isolated aortic strips of normotensive rats and of SHR respond by contraction to the action of vasodepressor prostaglandins, i.e. paradoxically. It was also established that the reactivity of the isolated aortic strip of SHR to vasodepressor prostaglandins is smaller in comparison to the reactivity of the aorta of control normotensive rats. An attempt is made to explain the paradoxical response of isolated aortic strips of normotensive rats, and of SHR. It is pointed out that contrary to studies on the action of angiotensin, in studies on the vasodepressor action of prostaglandins isolated aortic smooth muscle strips cannot be used as an indicator of vascular reactivity, and especially of resistance vessels reactivity, since their response to hypotensive prostaglandins is paradoxical in both normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.


Errors in data derived from pulmonary artery blood gas values. Blood gas values were obtained from Swan-Ganz pulmonary artery catheters in 25 patients with acute pulmonary failure, with the objective of evaluating the possibility of contamination with "arterialized" blood and examining the mechanism by which this might happen. Blood oxygen content increased significantly from the main to a segmental pulmonary artery, proportional to the withdrawal rate of the sample. At 3 ml/min, distal contents ranged from 100 to 116% of proximal values (p less than 0.01). At 23 ml/min the range was 100-140% of proximal values (p less than 0.001). Sampling of blood from a Swan-Ganz catheter in the usual position for "wedge" pressure measurement, but with a balloon deflated, may lead to large errors in calculation of cardiac output by the Fick method and in calculation of intrapulmonary shunt fraction.


Hemoglobinemia in heroin overdose patients. Four heroin-overdosed patients presented with coma, elevated serum enzymes (creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and increased levels of plasma free hemoglobin. In two patients marked myoglobinuria was also detected. The plasma free hemoglobin returned to normal levels by the 3rd hospital day. Since coma may eventuate in compression of muscles, we suggest that the disruption of erythrocytes occurs as they traverse these ischemic areas.


Priorities in management of trauma victims. Good results of the emergency management of trauma victims depend on recognition of serious injuries and rapid, effective treatment as well as anticipation and prevention of complications. The most spectacular injury is not always the most urgent and life-threatening. Based on priorities of management, care is recommended to improve mortality and morbidity statistics. Suggestions for effective treatment of rapidly lethal lesions and preparations for transporting seriously injured patients are also outlined.


Dialyzer-augmented whole blood and plasma exchange for patients with hepatic or hepatorenal failure. We have utilized new methods of dialyzer-augmented whole blood and plasma exchange tranfusion in the treatment of hepatic coma. The method employs the new fast flow Buselmeier shunt so that the exchange can be done from a peripheral radial artery shunt site rather than a shunt site in a more major vessel, such as the brachial artery. The method employs in-line dialysis of citrated (CPD) blood or plasma to normalize pH, electrolytes, and blood sugar while infusion heparinization decreases heparin requirements. The application of a single roller pump to the administration and withdrawal lines (placed in opposite directions) helps equalize inflow and outflow where whole blood exchange is done while identical opposing pumps accomplish the same with plasma exchange. The administration of albumin and metaraminol bitartate prevents hypotension due to fluid shifts or compartmental venous dilatation. A closed circuit which does not require disconnection throughout the 30- 60-minute whole blood exchange or the 2 1/2-hour plasma exchange decreases the risk of septic contamination to both medical staff and patients.


The cytogenetic structure of Tasmanian populations of Phaulacridium vittatum. In 8 out of 20 Tasmanian populations of Phaulacridium vittatum from 0.3-11.0 percent of the males carried a single supernumerary chromosome. In such males the X and B univalents are both heteropycnotic at first prophase of male meiosis and associate with another in a non-homolgous manner in about two-thirds of the diplotene cells examined. In all 56 B-containing individuals studied, however, these associations lapse by first metaphase and the X and the B move at random with respect to one another at first anaphase. The supernumerary in this species is stable and only 5 of the 56 individuals with supernumeraries showed evidence of B-chromosome non-disjunction in the pre-meiotic mitoses. Since there was no other evidence for the loss or gain of supernumeraries in the male line it is clear that B-transmission is regular in the males of this species. There were significant differences between population with respect to mean cell chiasma frequency but there was no significant effect of the B-chromosome on this metric. Additionally a comparison of mean cell chiasma frequency in follicles with and without supernumeraries from a mosaic individual shows no significant difference.


Chromosome distribution in neuroblast metaphase cells of Lucusta migratoria L. Chromosome distribution has been investigated at metaphase and C-metaphase in neuroblast cells of Locusta migratoria embryos. There is no evidence for generalised somatic association of homologues or nucleolus organising chromosomes at either stage. Homologous chromosomes 9 are found closer together than expected in C-metaphase but this seems to be due to their tendency to lie in the centre of the C-metaphase squash.


Chromosome markers in Mus musculus: differences in C-banding between the subspecies M.m. musculus and M.m. molossinus. Quinacrine (Q-band) and centromeric heterochromatin (C-band) patterns of metaphase chromosomes of two subspecies of Mus musculus were compared. M.m. musculus (the laboratory mouse) and M.m. molossinus (a subspecies from Southeast Asia) had similar Q-band patterns along the length of the chromosomes, but differences were observed in the centromeric region of some chromosomes. The two subspecies had very different distributions of C-band material. Antibodies to 5-methyleytosine were bound to regions of the chromosome corresponding to the C-bands in each animal. These findings support the idea that satellite DNA, which is concentrated in the C-band region, changes more quickly than bulk DNA. The interfertility of these two subspecies permits the development of a musculus strain carrying normal marker chromosomes for genetic studies.


Influence of temperature on the detectibility and chromosomal distribution of specific DNA sequences by in situ hybridisation. Hybridising certain AT-rich satellite complementary RNAs (cRNAs) to their homologous chromosomal DNA sequences at different temperatures of incubation results in a different dispersion of autoradiographic label throughout the karyotypes. The temperature at which most label, or cRNA-DNA hybrid formation, exists corresponds to the optimal rate temperature for the hybridisation of these same satellite cRNA-DNA hybrids as determined by RNA excess filter hybridisation. It is likely that the in situ hybridisation results can therefore be explained by the fact that there is a similar temperature-dependence on the rate of hybrid formation for both in situ and RNA excess hybridisation. This should have important implications for the designing of in situ hybridisation experiments in general.


Distribution of sister chromatid exchanges in the euchromatin and heterochromatin of the Indian muntjac. The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was determined for the chromosomes (except Y2) of the Indian muntjac stained by the fluorescence plus Giemsa (FPG) or harlequin chromosome technique. The relative DNA content of each of the chromosomes was also measured by scanning cytophotometry. After growth in bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) for two DNA replication cycles. SCEs were distributed according to the Poisson formula in each of the chromosomes. The frequency of SCE in each of the chromosomes was directly proportional to DNA content. A more detailed analysis of SCEs was performed for the three morphologically distinguishable regions of the X-autosome composite chromosome. The SCE frequency in the euchromatic long arm and short arm were proportional to the amount of DNA. In contrast, the constitutive heterochromatin in the neck of this chromosome contained far fewer SCEs than expected on the basis of the amount of DNA in this region. A high frequency of SCE, however, was observed at the point junctions between the euchromatin and heterochromatin.


Visualization of gene transcription in spermatocytes of Drosophila hydei. X chromosomal and/or autosomal transcriptional activity has been visualized by electron microscopy in primary spermatocyte nuclei of Drosophila hydei lacking a Y chromosome. The spreading technique applied uses a mixture of a hypotonic medium plus a detergent to disperse single germ cells. No effect of the detergent on the quality of the spread was detected using spread rRNA cistrons as a reference. The intervals between the transcripts are highly variable ranging from 0.1 mum to more than 3 mun. The RNP chains exhibit a more or less regular array of particles which reach a diameter of about 550 A. The estimation of transcript lengths leads to molecular weights between 107 daltons and 108 daltons. This is within the range of the huge transcripts of lampbrush loops, so far visualized only in amphibian oocytes.


Puffing patterns during the fourth larval instar in Chironomus pallidivittatus salivary glands. The puffing pattern of polytene chromosomes in salivary glands from Chironomus pallidivittatus larvae and prepupae has been studied in glutaraldehyde-acetic acid fixed, lactic acid flattened preparations. Some observations were also made on F1 hybrid species C. pallidivittatus X C. tentans. Concerning the situation of puffing in Balbiani rings (BR), 2.783 chromosomes IV from 188 animals were scored. In standard 4th instar larvae, BR2 appears expanded, BR3 smaller but not collapsed and BRI either reduced of collapsed. During the first days following the red-head stage, which signals the beginning of the 4th instar, larvae show a large BR1; later it reduces and tends to collapse. At the end of the 4th instar, prepupae again may present an expanded BR1. On the contrary, the size of BR2 and BR3 remains unchanged from the red-head stage to the prepupa. A variable accumulation of droplets has been observed to occur in BR2 and BR1 from dated larvae and prepupae.--A characteristic pattern of puffing was found in prepupae, which consisted in the appearance of conspicuous puffs at regions I-6B, I-7B, I-7B, I-18C, III-9B and IV-4B. Puffs at I-2B, I-3B, I-9A,I-11C,II-4A, and IV-4B were observed during most of the 4th larval instar, as well as in late larvae and prepupae. Among all these puffs, those at I-7B, I-9A, I-17B, and IV-4B frequently showed variable amounts of droplets.


[Social research as applied to health].

[Social research as applied to health]. The concepts that have influenced relations between the social sciences and health down the years are broadly analyzed. Various approaches to integration of the social sciences with medicine are described, including social sciences as the study of culture, social medicine, and medicine as a social science. In conclusion, it is suggested that the search for an alternative to the functional approach to health problems should begin with a redefinition of the aims of medicine. Some attempts along these lines are reviewed.


[Considerations on the nature and dynamics of medical practice]. Those criteria of analysis are rejected which attribute changes in medical practice to deviations from ethical orientation. Instead, objective criteria are proposed that take into account both the internal and external factors in medical practice. "Medical knowledge" - an organized body of general and abstract knowledge acquired through the study of disciplines whose subject matter represents only a small part of the real world and isolated from their application to the general and concrete object which is man - is one of the two elements that come to the fore as a criterion of analysis. The second is the user of medical practice - the healthy or sick person, who in each case represents a global reality different from the sum of generic abstractions that may have been formulated about him, thus constituting a particular being who is both the agent and the product of his personal and social history. Between the regular features of the biological level and the special features of the humanistic level there is a contradiction, since the professional has at his disposal more and more partial knowledge about the object of medical practice and fewer and fewer references about its totality. This leads him to transfer the object of his practice from the individual to the disease, to reduce the reality of the person to so many categories of abstractions, to transform the concrete patient into an "abstract" one, who may go from being a "victim" to a "defendant" once the "atypical" somatic characteristics derived from his personal and social adjustment become manifest.


[Program of research on models of delivery of health services. New methodology for the training of midwives health promoters and nursing auxiliares]. A Program of Research on Models for the Delivery of Health Services (PRIMOPS) is being conducted jointly by the Cauca Valley University and the Colombian Ministry of Public Health through the Municipal Health Department of Cali, Colombia. Designed for the maternal and child health area, the program is being carried out initially in a low-income district of Cali which has a population of 100,000. Health services are furnished under a regionalized system using a team consisting of a midwife, a health promoter, a nursing auxiliary, a nurse, and a physician. These workers provide care specifically related to mothers and children drawing on the resources of the home, the local health station, and the university hospital. Since the program involves the testing of a new methodology of health services delivery which includes the use of nonprofessional personnel, community-organized information systems have been set up and tried on an experimental basis, as have methods for health services evaluation and personnel training. PRIMOPS' experience with its methods for training nonprofessional program staff (nursing auxiliares, health promoters, and midwives) is reviewed, and the results achieved by a team of nurses applying the training model to nine nursing auxiliares, 54 health promotors, and 33 midwives are described.


[Communication and teamwork in a modern hospital]. The problems facing a modern hospital, which mirror the crisis confronting medicine as a whole, are reviewed. In the search for solutions to these difficulties it is necessary to envisage the hospital in a larger context and examine the role it should play in society. And a comprehensive approach that takes into account all the different elements involved in the work of a hospital-administration, medical care, teaching, research-is fundamental. All teamwork presupposes certain dimensional factors such as organization, dynamics, and productivity. And each member of the health team must identify with the work of the group as a whole, providing for a degree of "realization of individual potential" which ultimately comes together with the primary goal-namely to work toward the health of the patient. The various forms of communication in the hospital, both between individual departments and between the members of each team that has a part to play, are also reviewed.


The effect of iodide administration on hog thyroid gland and the composition of thyroglobulin and 27-S iodoprotein. The effect of excess iodide on hog thyroid gland has been examined with regard to the change in the chemical composition of thyroglobulin and in the accumulation of 27-S iodoprotein by the in vivo treatment of hogs with iodide for various lengths of time. The iodine content of thyroglobulin was either unchanged by short term administration of excess iodide, or somewhat lowered. However, the iodine content as well as the total amount of thyroglobulin increased in the glands enlarged by prolonged treatment with iodide. The iodine highest reached 1.17% of the protein on an average. On the other hand, 27-S iodoprotein decreased and finally disappeared after the chronic treatment. Monoiodotyrosine and diiodotyrosine increased in parallel with the increase in the iodine content (0.15 to 1.17%) caused by the iodide treatment, while thyroxine increased but reached a plateau at the level of three residues per mole of thyroglobulin, and no change was observed even in the proteins with the higher iodine content than 0.75%. Proteolytic activity measured by amino acid release from the thyroid protein was depressed by the chronic treatment. On the other hand, the amount of iodocompound released by the autoproteolysis, which may reflect hormone secretion, increased, possibly because of the marked increase in the iodine content of thyroglobulin.


Dietary therapy and insulin secretory response to glucose in adult-onset non-obese diabetic subjects. The effect of a 4-week diet regulation on non-obese, adul-onset diabetics was studied. The diet, which was prescribed for them, was composed of 60% carbohydrate, 15-20% protein and 20-25% fat. The total caloric intake was restricted to 30, 35 and 40 Cal/kg ideal body weight depending on their physical activity. In the group whose calculated diet showed over 10% reduction in total caloric intake and carbohydrate intake, fasting glucose was decreased and glucose tolerance was improved significantly after the 4-week dietary therapy. Insulin response to oral glucose loading was improved, particularly in the later stage of oral glucose tolerance test. As a result, insulin area, i. e. the total area under the insulin curve was increased to almost two times. The sensitivity to insulin did not show any significant changes after diet regulation. The present data indicate that the therapeutic effect of the diet restriction should be at least in part ascribed to the increased secretion of insulin. In the treatment of diabetics, a restricted diet is essential and beneficial from the point of view that it could improve the pancreatic beta-cell function.


Sterility and delayed vaginal opening following electrolytic lesions placed neonatally in medial preoptic area in female rats. Electrolytic lesions were placed in the preoptic area or in the middle and posterior hypothalamus of female rats within 48 hrs after birth. Vaginal opening was delayed significantly in rats having the medial preoptic area (mPOA) destructed as compared to sham-operated animals and those given lesions in the other parts of the hypothalamus. Only rats with the mPOA completely destructed developed the anovulatory syndrome. In these animals, unilateral ovariectomy was not followed by enlargement of its fellow. The present results are not in agreement with those of previous workers that electrolytic destructions of the diencephalon induced precocious puberty. The difference may be ascribable to difference in size and locus of lesions.


Characterization of renin-like activity in human plasma protein IV-4 fraction. Cohn's fraction IV-4 of human plasma protein generates by itself a substance with slight pressor activity when incubted without any additives. This renin-like activity was readily inactivated by alkaline treatment. Furthermore, the generated pressor substance, when purified, was found very similar to [Aspl]-[Ile5]-angiotensin-I in the following characteristics; 1) heat-stability, 2) dializability, 3) inactivation by trypsin, 4) Rf value and 5) electrophoretic mobility at various pHs, 6) marked enhancement in pressor and oxytocic activities after incubation with normal human plasma or rabbit's lung extract, and 7) cross reactivity with [AspI]-[Ile5]-angiotensin-I in radioimmunoassay. It is concluded that renin-like activity in the preparation of fraction IV-4 of human plasma protein must be renin or an extremely similar enzyme.


Quantitative evaluation of virilizing activity of steroids by measuring morphological changes in uro-genital region of rats. A new technique to measure the uro-genital parameters such as the lengths of urovaginal septum, corpora cavernosa and anogenital distance on the sagittal sections of the pelvic region of female fetus of rat under microscope equipped with a micrometer was developed. In the examination of 180 normal female fetuses on the 21st day of gestation, relationships were observed between the fetal body weight and the length of urovaginal septum as well as anogenital distance, but not on the length of corpora cavernosa. Following maternal subcutaneous administration of various doses of 17alpha-methyltestosterone between the 17th and 20th day of gestation, dose-dependent abridgment in urovaginal septum length and extensions in corpora cavernosa length and anogenital distance were observed in female fetus on the 21st day's examination. When these three parametars were calculated on the relative value to the fetal body weight, however, linear relationships against log-dose were observed in all parameters. Among these three parameters the abridgment in urovaginal septum was shown to be the most sensitive. A quantitative assay of virilizing activity of steroids in female fetuses was examined on rats treated subcutaneously with 17alpha-methyltestosterone and norethandrolone. Linear regressions against the log-doses of both steroids were demonstrated in urovaginal septum length, and parallelism was noted between both regression lines. The relative potency of norethandrolone to 17alpha-methyltestosterone calculated on urovaginal septum length was 0.354 with fiducial limits of 0.293-0.44l, and it was suggested that the virilizing activities of steroids can be evaluated quantitatively.


Increase of structural glycoprotein during dilatation of human cervix in pregnancy at term. From the human cervix uteri under various conditions, structural glycoprotein was isolated which had a remarkable resemblance in its amino acid composition to other connective-tissue glycoproteins found in mammalian tissue. It was corroborated that the amount of such a structural glycoprotein increased in pregnancy, whereas collagen content was higher in the nonpregnant control. These facts suggest that the lost collagen was replaced by those structural glycoproteins in pregnantc ervix uteri. The possible significance of those structural glycoproteins on cervical dilatation is discussed.


Delayed equilibrium of pituitary triiodothyronine (T3) following an acute T3 administration. To reconcile the knowledge on tissue T3 concentration with cellular metabolism regulatory mechanism of thyroid hormone secretion, the pattern of the change of tissue T3 concentration following an acute administration of T3 was studied in mice. Basal T3 concentration in serum, liver, brain and pituitary was 61, 173, 198 and 1630ng/100g, respectively. After 0.5 mug T3 dose, T3 concentration in serum and liver reached the maximum level 1 to 3 hrs following the administration and decreased exponetially thereafter, thus, maintaining almost constant tissue/plasma T3 ratio. In contrast, T3 increase in brain or pituitary was far delayed, not until 7 to 12 hrs following T3 injection, and then decreased parallel to that in serum. Furthermore, the magnitude of increase in pituitary T3 was limited when compared to that in liver. Thus, tissue/plasma T3 ratio in pituitary decreased markedly after the dose of T3. This finding suggests the possibility that there is blood-brain barrier or blood-tissue barrier for the transport of T3 in pituitary or brain, resulting in delayed equilibrium with that in serum. These results may also explain the delay of inhibition of TRH-induced TSH release after single dose of T3 as recently reported by Azizi et al. (1975).


Mouse prolactin obtained by pituitary organ culture in a serum-free medium. Mouse prolactin was purified by organ culture of pituitaries and electrophoresis of the medium. Mouse pituitaries were organ-cultured in 9-cm Petri dishes containing Waymouth's medium (MB 752/1) supplemented with penicillin (50 units/ml), streptomycin (100mug/ml), and bovine insulin (0.12 I.U./ml) for 8 days. Prolactin-rich culture medium was half-saturated with ammonium sulfate and centrifuged. The pellet was subjected to analytical disc electrophoresis (10% acrylamide). Gels were sectioned into 2-mm segments. Prolactin was eluted in 0.04M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2), dialyzed and lyophylized. Two hundred and forty ml medium in which 360 pituitaries were cultured yielded 29.3 mg lyophylized mouse prolactin. Although the preparation contained 2 other bands on acrylamide gel disc electrophoresis, a single precipitin line was seen in immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis, showing the identity of their antigenicity. From these results, two other proteins in the preparation were suggested to be deamidated prolactin.


[The thioacetamide-poisoned rat as an animal experimental model for endocrinological studies of estrogen metabolism in chronic liver injury)]. Liver microsomes of rats poisoned with thioacetamide show a significant reduction of cytochrome P-450. Consequently, oxidative reactions of drug metabolism and the estrogen 2-hydroxylase are diminished. Enhancement of microsomal transformation of estradiol to estrone and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone is observed after treatment of rats with thioacetamide, due to diminished metabolism of estradiol by the alternative oxidation at C-2. Estriol formation is reduced by thioacetamide pretreatment. These changes in estrogen breakdown closely correlate with those observed in humans suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. It is concluded that the thioacetamide poisoned rat should be an experimental model suitable for studying estrogen metabolism in liver injury.


Ultrastructural changes of the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system in the magnesium deficient rats. A magnesium deficient diet caused transient but marked degenerative changes in the rat hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory system which strongly resembled in many ultrastructural respects those induced by a prolonged administration of aldosterone as previously reported by us. The possible mechanism for this selective alteration in the neurosecretory neurons has been briefly discussed with regard to aldosterone secretion.


Selective chemical changes of gonadotropic hormones by means of neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae. Experiments indicate that Neuraminidase from Vibrio Cholerae selectively cleaves sialic acid derivate from FSH, but leaves the LH sialic acid derivative. By performing a specific test for LH - the OAAD test - we found that the LH activity is not influenced by the presence of Neuraminidase. The FSH activity is destroyed by Neuraminidase but the enzyme itself influences the ovarian weight, resulting in a weight decrease observed 48 hours after injection. Before or after this "critical time" no decrease is observed.


Radioimmunoassay for aldosterone in plasma without chromatography. A radioimmunoassay without chromatography is described for the determination of plasma aldosterone. The high sensitivity of the method renders possible the detection of about 1 pg aldosterone/ml. The high specificity of the antialdosterone sera (rabbit) may be due to the procedure used for the preparation of aldosterone-21-hemisuccinate and to the intensive purification of the aldosterone-albumin conjugate. The validity of the method was tested by determination of plasma aldosterone in normal subjects and in patients suffering from primary hyperaldosteronism or Addison's disease. In cases of urgent diagnosis, the incubation period was reduced from 16 hours to 1 hour. The elimination of the chromatographic step makes the method suitable for clinical routine work and automatization.


[Deiodination in the kidney and thyroid function)]. In homogenate supernatants of kidneys of male rats the extent of deiodination of L-diiodotyrosine (L-DJT) and L-thyroxine (L-T4) was investigated in dependence on the thyroid function (hypo- and hyperthyroidized) and also in dependence on age. In rats hypothyroidized by loading with Methylthiouracil (MTU) or Methimazol (MMI) the deiodination for L-DJT and L-T4 was significantly reduced, in rats loaded with 40 mug T4 sc. for 10 days, the deiodination was significantly enhanced compared with untreated control animals. With advancing age (6 weeks, 3 or 12 month) the deiodination activity is highly significantly reduced. The results underline relations between thyroid gland function and deiodination activity in kidney.


[The time course of radioiodine distribution in chicks after iodate treatment]. The radioiodine (131Jodine) excretion in chicken is increased after the treatment with iodate, the radioiodine uptake in the thyroid gland is decreased. The percentage of intra- and extrathyroidal radioiodine 24 hours after the injection is similar in all groups. It seems that these findings are due to isotopedilution effects.


Serum thyroxine estimation: clinical evaluation of a modified semiautomated method and its ability for differential diagnosis of thyroid diseases. A modified semiautomated microchemical method for determining serum thyroxine has been described. It consists of the isolation of T4 on a column of cation exchange resin Dowex 50 W X 2 and of a fully automated determination of iodine in the ammoniacal eluate from the column after an acidic mineralization. The diagnostic value of the method has been evaluated on a small group of patients examined for suspected thyroid gland dysfunction, in comparison with a parallel determination of T4 by a CPBA method (Tetrasorb test kit). From the results it follows that the microchemical method gives the results something inferior in comparison with the CPBA technique. The differences of means between the basic  diagnostic groups of patients (euthyroids, hypothyroids, and hyperthyroids) in both methods were statistically significant. The extent to which these tests can discriminate was investigated at a 5% discrimination threshold. The discriminatory ability of both methods between hyperthyroidism and euthyroidism is nearly the same. The CPBA method discriminates euthyroids from the hypothyroids better, the results of both tests, however, do not differ too much. It seems to be confirmed that irrespective of the method used, the determination of serum T4 itself can detect neither hyperthyroidism nor hypothyroidism reliably. The possible causes are discussed in this paper.


Obesity and thyroid function. 2. The effect of prolonged caloric restriction on Achilles tendon reflex values. The results obtained are indicative of changes in thyroid function during prolonged caloric restriction. Achilles tendon reflex values were studied in obese individuals under reducing treatment. More pronounced weight loss during the first three months was associated with a shortening of Achilles tendon reflex values, or its values remained unchanged. From the sixth month on a growing percentage of obese patients in our group displayed prolongation of Achilles tendon reflex values coupled with a decrease in weight showed a statistically significant prolongation of Achilles tendon reflex values. Thyreoglobulin given at this stage normalised Achilles tendon values and reinduced weight decrease.


[Studies on lipid mobilization in obesity without glucose intolerance. 1st communication. Noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis]. 1. In obese patients with normal glucose tolerance the norepinephrine-induced lipolysis in vivo was significantly higher as compared with a non-obese group. This was observed both during weight-related and constant norepinephrine infusion. 2. In the obese group a discordant release of free fatty acids and glycerol and a significantly lower quotient of FFA/Glycerol than in the controls was found. It is supposed that in obesity the re-esterification of FFA is increased.


The effect of chronically administered cannabis extract on the female genital tract of mice and rats. Daily administration of cannabis extract (mice: 1 mg/day, rats: 5 mg/day for a period of 64 days) results in a cessation of ovarian cyclic activity as judged by vaginal smear and the absence of corpora-lutea in the ovaries of treated rats and mice. Distinct effects are produced upon uterine tissue. Uterine glands were regressed and the stromal edema was conspicuous. Cannabis extract resulted in a decreased uterine RNA, glycogen, and sialic acid concentration. It also brings about a significant depletion in the level of adrenal ascorbic acid.


On the evocability of a positive oestrogen feedback action on LH secretion in female and male rats. Following a single injection of oestradiol benzoate (15 mug/100 g body weight) postpubertally castrated and oestrogen-primed female rats showed a distinct surge of LH secretion, while castrated and androgen-primed  females displayed a diminished and delayed surge of LH secretion. On the other hand, postpubertally castrated and oestrogen-primed male rats exhibited only a slight, but significant surge of LH secretion, whereas castrated and androgen-primed males did not display any surge of LH secretion following oestrogen injection. In view of these findings the evocability of a positive oestrogen feedback action on LH secretion is dependent on the sex hormone level during the critical hypothalamic differentiation phase and the functional (priming) phase as well.


[Malate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase in the serum of hyperthyroxinemic and hypothyroid rats]. In serum of hyperthyroxinemic and hypothyreotic rats the activities of MDH and LDH were investigated. In both groups the level of MDH was significantly elevated in comparison with control animals. The activity of LDH did not show any significant alterations.


A drainage wind flow model.

A drainage wind flow model. A method of predetermining drainage wind velocities is derived in the form of an incremental velocity model. The model requires the topographical data and a general description of surface roughness. Using these fixed inputs with the model yields velocity factors. Velocity factors are determined as a function of height above the terrain and elapsed time since the occurrence of the maximum surface temperature. The velocity factors multiplied by a cooling factor give velocities. Time or space mean velocity may be found by summation techniques. By computing velocity factors for several points within an area of concern, one can determine drainage flow patterns and pollutant movements for any given night.


Formation of trihalomethanes by chlorination of surface water. Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, bromoform, and dichloroiodomethane have been found in chlorinated drinking water. In addition to these five compounds, the other possible trihalomethanes (chlorodiiodomethane, bromochloroiodomethane, dibromoiodomethane, bromodiiodomethane, and iodoform) can also be formed by chlorination of surface water containing bromides and iodides. Mass spectra for each of these ten compounds were obtained.


Respirable dust content of subway air.

Respirable dust content of subway air. During the non-heating months of June, July and August of 1974, the total and respirable dust content at an underground station of the Newark City Subway System was determined. Higher particulate levels than obtained for ambient Newark air were observed. Additionally, Federal Ambient Primary Air Quality Standards for suspended particulate matter was exceeded in two instances. Qualitative elemental analysis of the particulate matter collected is also reported.


Ozone decay in irradiated smog chambers. Studies conducted in smog chambers show that ozone disappears significantly faster under irradiation than in the dark. A computer simulation was made to determine the cause for this accelerated O3 decay. It was found that the phenomenon can be explained by a series of chemical reactions involving O3, O1D, H2O, OH, HO2, and ultraviolet light.


Gas chromatographic determination of neuphytadiene as a measure of the terpenoid contribution to experimental tobacco smoke carcinogenesis. A method for the determination of neophytadiene in the total particulate matter of cigarette smoke was developed and applied to test its relationship to isoprene deliveries. Neophytadiene is suggested as a preferred measure of the contribution of terpenoids to experimental tobacco smoke carcinogenicity. Typical deliveries of neophytadiene are presented.


Analysis of heavy metals and fluoride in vegetation by extraction with concentrated mineral acids. A rapid potentiometric method for determining fluoride in vegetation is described. Recovery of flouride by extraction with concentrated mineral acids compares favourably with standard methods of analysis in terms of accuracy and precision. The procedure affords the additional advantage that several citations are also quantitatively extracted and may be determined directly in the acid digest by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.


Developmental patterns of FSH and LH in female rats deprived of light before puberty. Plasma FSH and LH levels were examined in female rats reared in the dark at different ages from birth until sexual maturation to investigate whether, and to what extent, external factors such as light, influence gonadotropin levels during development. Control animals were raised in diurnal lighting consisting of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. Light deprivation did not eliminate the characteristic peak of gonadotropins seen in early postnatal development but significantly increased levels of FSH and slightly decreased levels of LH (except for a transient rise at day 12). Constant darkness tended to lower whole body, ovarian and pituitary weights but to increase pineal weight. Whereas the time of eye-opening was the same in control and light-deprived animals, puberty (as judged by vaginal opening and first ovulation) was delayed in animals raised in the dark. The data suggest that environmental light has a mediating action on patterns of gonadotropin release, particularly on FSH, during prepuberal development.


Chronic toxicity of a synthetic tri-aryl phosphate oil to fish. Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were exposed to IMOL S-140, a synthetic high-temperature lubricating oil composed of tri-aryl phosphates and, although no sign of acute toxicity was evident, the fish slowly developed symptoms of chronic posioning. Thus, floating food pellets were refused, the activities of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase in serum were greatly elevated, and internal fatty tissues became discoloured. Neither serum nor brain cholinesterase activities were inhibited.


Relative cadmium-binding capacity of metallothionein and other cytosolic fractions in various tissues of the rat. The Cd-binding capacity of soluble proteins in 10 tissues of normal rats not excessively exposed to heavy metals was measured by saturation of freshly isolated cytosol with 109CdCl2 in vitro followed by Sephadex G-75 chromatography. The Cd-binding capacity of a 10,000 molecular weight Cd-binding peak (10,000 MW Cd-BP), which had a high affinity for Cd and was probably metallothionein, was the highest in kidney (78nmol Cd/g fresh tissue), followed by testis (63 nmol/g), liver (38 nmol/g) and then by brain (14 nmol/g). The amount of the Cd-BP in these tissues (assuming that it was metallothionein and bound 9 mol Cd/10,000g) was calculated to be 87, 70, 42 and 16 mg/kg fresh tissue in kidney, testis, liver and brain, respectively, or in the order of 10(-5) to 10(-6) mol/kg tissue. A significant amount of the 10,000 MW Cd-BP was also found in small intestine. It was present in rather small amounts in heart and lung, and possibly in spleen and skeletal muscle as well. In contrast, the protein was not detectable by this technique in plasma. The results suggest that metallothionein is a rather ubiquitous, intracellular protein in tissues of normal animals and may have other biological functions, besides its possible fortuitous role in heavy metal detoxification. A 30,000 molecular weight Cd-binding peak (30,000 MW Cd-BP) having a very high affinity Cd, apparently higher than that of the 10,000 MW Cd-BP, was found only in testes, among the 10 tissues examined. Its estimated Cd-binding capacity was 51 nmol Cd/g of testis, slightly less than that of metallothionein in testis. These findings support the hypothesis that the 30,000 MW Cd-BP is a plausible target of Cd in Cd-induced testicular injury, and suggest a basis for the peculiar sensitivity of the rat testis to Cd.


Monosodium L-glutamate-induced convulsions: temporary alteration in blood-brain barrier permeability to plasma proteins. Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG), a commonly used food additive, induces convulsive disorders in rats. A reversible change in the cerebrovascular permeability of plasma proteins occurs during convulsions induced by the intraperitoneal administration of 4.0 g/kg of MSG to the neonatal rat. During MSG-induced seizures, but not before or after, trypan blue dye enters into the brain tissues, whereas no dye penetration occurs in control rats receiving saline. The frequency of the incidence  of MSG-induced convulsions is inversely proportional to the age of the animal. It decreases with the age of the rat. By 42 days of age no substantial seizure activity of dye penetration into the brain tissue occurs in MSG-treated rats. Histological examination indicates that seizure activity is not correlated with characteristic periventricular-arcuate area lesions known to be induced in neonates by parenteral MSG administration. No hypothalamic damage was observed in MSG-treated rats older than 10 days of age.


Isolation and characterization of a hepatic metallothionein from mice. Mice were given cadmium chloride orally for 18 weeks, after which they were given two subcutaneous injections of cadmium chloride. Cadmium-and zinc-containing proteins were obtained from livers by ultracentrifugation, Sephadex chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Metallothionein with apI of 4.2 at 8 degrees C was separated from other proteins (possibly including other forms of metallothionein) by the isoelectric procedure. The metallothionein with pI = 4.2 had a high E250, reflecting abundant Cd-SH bonds, in accord with amino acid analysis, which gave a cysteine content of 34.6 residues % and showed an absence of aromatic amino acids. These results indicated a very high purity of the form of metallothionein isolated after isoelectric focusing.


Effect of DDT on the free amino acid pool of brain and kidney in guinea-pigs. Free amino acid composition of brain and kidney of guinea-pig showed significant decrease after repeated exposure of skin to P-P1 DDT. Gamma amino butyric acid of the brain and proline, tyrosine and valine of kidney disappeared completely. The remaining amino acids showed a marked depletion.


Serum and organ creatine phosphokinase alterations in exercise. Rats that swam for 3 h showed a 6-fold increase in serum creatine phosphokinase (SCPK) activity which declined to control values within 7 h after swimming. Of the excess SCPK, 77% was BB isoenzyme; the remainder was mainly MM with traces of MB. Kidney, liver, brain and lung contain mainly BB (50-80%) and only a trace of MB (0-7%). Heart CPK was composed of little BB (8%) and more MB (28%) and MM (64%). Skeletal muscle CPK was almost entirely MM. CPK activity is highest in skeletal muscle, intermediate in heart and brain and lowest in kidney, liver and lung. It is suggested that skeletal muscle and heart are not involved in CPK release in swimming, and kidney, liver and brain may be sites of release.


Influence of low ambient temperature and dietary lipids on adipose tissue and plasma fatty acid composition of the Japanese quail. Japanese quail were maintained on synthetic diets containing 15% corn oil, 15% tallow, and zero fat, and were later exposed at 3.5 degrees C for 21 days. A distinct influence of dietary fat composition upon the adipose tissue triglyceride fatty acid composition was detected, but no change in fatty acid composition was produced with cold exposure. The fatty acid composition of adipose tissue from quail acclimatized to winter temperatures showed no trend towards a greater degree of unsaturation. There was no evidence of a gross selective mobilization of certain fatty acids from the depot lipids. Regional variation in the fatty acid composition of avian fats is discussed with respect to the level of food intake and body temperature.


Steroidogenesis in vitro in the harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) without and with methyl mercury treatment in vivo. Tissue from a harp seal given methyl mercury at a concentration of 0.25 mg/kg in its diet for 61 days, was highly contaminated with mercury. Over 70% of the mercury in the seal's liver (64.0 p.p.m.) was in the inorganic form indicating a demethylating system in this organ. Most of the mercury in the liver, spleen and kidney of an untreated seal was also in the inorganic form. In contrast, over 75% of the mercury in the adrenals and gonads (14.2 and 13.0 p.p.m., respectively) of the treated seal was methyl mercury. Mercury was not detectable in the gonads and not analyzed in the adrenals of the untreated seal. Biosynthesized (in vitro) cortisol, corticosterone, cortisone, and 11-ketotestosterone were isolated and identified from the adrenal incubations, and delta4-androstene-3,17-dione and testosterone were isolated and identified from ovarian incubations from both untreated and methyl mercury (in vivo) treated seals. The ovaries and adrenals from both seals appeared to be normal under the light microscope. The ovaries from both seals were in the same follicular phase, but in vitro incubations of tissue from these organs indicated that the methyl mercury and treatment caused a marked alteration of steroid biosynthesis in tissue from the treated seal. The altered pattern of steroid biosynthesis was also demonstrated by autoradiography, and it is suggested that this technique could be used as an indicator of incipient contamination by a pollutant.


Effects of dietary dieldrin on reproduction in the Swiss-Vancouver (SWV) mouse. Reproduction was studied in SWV female mice that had raised one litter and then received either 0.2.5,5,10,15,20 or 25 parts/10(6) dietary dieldrin (n = 18 or 19 per group). Exposure began 4 weeks prior to the second mating and continued until day 28 postpartum (weaning). Fertile males were caged with the females during weeks 5-6 of exposure. Significantly mortality of the females occurred only at 20 and 25 parts/10(6) (89% and 56%, respectively) and all deaths occurred before parturition. Dieldrin did not affect behavioural oestrus. At 10 and 15 parts/10(6), 18% of the bred females did not become pregnant; all animals at lower doses and all survivors at higher doses were fertile. The gestation period was not affected. At 25 parts/10(6), the litter size was decreased by 17% over the control size (13.2 pups). The infertility and reduced fecundity resulted from a lesion(s) preceding implantation. Thus, in a separate experiment, 15 parts/10(6) increased the number of bred females that had no implantation sites 5 days post coitum while 25 parts/10(6) decreased the number of sites per pregnant female. As expected from the original dose-responses for infertility and decreased litter size, the converse effects did not occur. Pre-weaning mortality of all the pups occurred in 31%, 47%, 80% and 100% of the litters at 0,2.5,5, and larger than or equal to parts/10(6), respectively. Within the litters raised at 2.5 and 5 parts/10(6), the pup survival was not different from the controls (75%). Thus, in this strain, litter -oss is dieldrin's most important reproductive effect and it correlated with a dieldrin-induced maternal hepatomegaly. The birth weight of pups in litters that were lost was reduced by 3-13% and pre-death growth was reduced or absent. Pup-killing and pup-neglect were important proximate causes of mortality, but only at doses larger than or equal to 15 parts/10(6).


Environmental impact of mosquito pesticides: influence of temefos on the brain acetylcholinesterase of killifish. Temefos and six of its metabolites were tested for their capacity to inhibit the in vitro activity of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of Fundulus heteroclitus. While temefos was not inhibitory at levels up to 10.7 mM in brain homogenate samples, its metabolites were active within the range of 2 X 10(-4)mM to 1.26 mM in causing a 50% reduction in the enzyme activity. Exposure of F. heteroclitus to temefos under laboratory conditions caused a reduction in AChE activity, which was proportional to the pesticide concentration and the exposure period. Visible symptoms of organophosphate poisoning were apparent only after the AChE inhibition reached 80%. F. heteroclitus and Cyprinidon variegatus exposed to 10 biweekly applications of temefos granules in the field showed no inhibition of brain AChE. However, exposure of F. heteroclitus to biweekly applications (four) of temefos emulsion caused a reduction in the enzyme (50%), but only in the pre-third application samples. A gradual increase in brain AChE occurred both in F. heteroclitus and C. variegatus as the season progressed from April to October.


Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome associated with diabetes insipidus neurohormonalis. The case of a girl with Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome without polydactyly is described. Additional features were small stature, diabetes insipidus neurohormonalis and a renal disorder. The diabetes insipidus neurohormonalis was successfully treated with a new vasopressin analogue, DDAVP. The importance of renal studies in patients with Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome is emphasized.


Thin-layer chromatography for diagnosis of secreting neuroblastoma. A thin-layer chromatographic technique for separation and identification of urinary phenolic acids is described. The method is simple enough to be used in the clinical laboratory and from it, an easy biochemical diagnosis of secreting neuroblastoma. The technique is also of interest for research in catabolism of catecholamines. Results obtained in 125 patients, including 8 patients with neuroblastoma are reported.


[Lipoid dermatoarthritis (multicentric reticulohistiocytosis) (author's transl)]. The case of a 10-year-old girl with an infrequently observed lipid dermatoarthritis is reported. This is a systemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by a nodular eruption of the skin, mucosa and synovia, resulting in destructive arthritis and disfigurement of the facies. Biopsy of a nodule, whether from skin or synovia, discloses a cellular infiltrate consisting of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells with lipid inclusions. No effective treatment is known.


Identification of volatile components in waste waters by combined head-space gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A method for the identification of volatile components in effluent waters is described. The sample is heated in a closed vessel at 80 degrees C and the head-space vapour injected in a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer. Mass spectra are recorded every 4 seconds and stored by a Data Acquisition System. The reconstructed spectra enable very easy identification of the peaks of the chromatogram. The important contribution of the computer system to the sensitivity of the technique is demonstrated.


[A micromethod for determination of nicotine and cotinine in blood and urine by gas chromatography. Results obtained from various smokers]. The determination of nicotine and cotinine in plasma and urines of smokers is carried out by gas-chromatography with an Ucon-Polar 50 HB 2000 alkalinized column and a specific N detector, using diphenylamine as internal standard. The technique for extraction and chromatographic analysis is developed. The limit values for a correct determination are : 0,2 ng for nicotine and 1 ng for cotinine. The results show that the transit of nicotine and cotinine into the blood is very fast. They confirm the rapidity of the urinary excretion of nicotine, the slowness of that of cotinine, and the relation between the eliminated amounts and the urinary flow.


[Emergency toxicology: analytic protocol applicable to biolobic media in tentative autolysis]. Here is exposed a method to detect and identify, without delay and in biological media, toxic substances generally found when attempting autolysis. It implies: 1; coloured reactions performed directly or after having isolated the substances using organic solvants, 2; thin layer chromatographies of these extractums which are developed and revealed in very  precise conditions. Techniques for titration of some drugs are exposed. 253 cases of toxic coma have been studied, and the results of this inquiry analysed, more particularly cases induced by barbiturates.


The absence of an inhibitory effect of metyrapone (2-methyl-1,2-di (3-pyridyl) propan-1-one) on hepatic microsomal hydroxylation in scurvy. Microsomes from livers of scorbutic guinea-pigs showed a reduced rate of acetanilide hydroxylation. The response of "scorbutic" liver microsomes to the inhibitor Metyrapone (2-methyl-1,2 di (3-pyridyl) propan-1-one) was different from that of liver microsomes from non-scorbutic guinea-pigs.


Highly elevated content of free myo-inositol in the cerebrospinal fluid of neonates. Free myo-inositol in cerebrospinal fluid was determined in 60 babies aged from newborn to 12 months. In the neonates, a high inositol concentration was found (18-81 mg/100 ml). With increasing age, the values gradually decreased. The finding is discussed in relation to the maturation processes in central nervous tissue.


The activity of Newcastle disease virus-envelope proteins after treatment with detergents. Treatment of NDV with anionic detergents or lipid solvents destroys the activities of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. After disruption of the virus with non-ionic detergents, the activities of envelope proteins remain unchanged. It is suggested that the phosholipids are very important for the biological activity of NDV-envelope proteins.


Is the basal activity of rat stomach histidine decarboxylase affected by antrectomy? The serum gastrin concentration and the gastric histidine decarboxylase activity are high in freely fed, unoperated rats but low in antrectomized rats. Following food deprivation the serum gastrin level and the enzyme activity are reduced simultaneously in the unoperated rats. After fasting for 36-48 h - but not before - the enzyme activity drops to the same low levels as in antrectomized rats.


Invertase in cell-free culture fluids of Streptococcus mutans strain SL-1. Intervase from extracellular culture fluids of S. mutans strain SL-1 was shown to have the same characteristics as intracellular invertase from the same strain. The data indicate that intracellular invertase is released into the culture fluids primarily during the late log and stationary phases of growth.


[Control activities and regulation by the glucocorticoids of three urea-cycle enzymes in rat foetal liver: argininosuccinate synthetase, argininosuccinase and arginase (author's transl)]. The activity of three urea-cycle enzymes, argininosuccinate synthetase, argininosuccinase and arginase have been studied in the foetal and new-born liver of rats. The activity increases with regularity between 17.5 days of pregnancy and birth in control foetuses. The lack of corticosteroid from 18.5 days of pregnancy decreases the activity of argininosuccinate synthetase. After administration of cortisol (hydrocortisone), to these 18.5 day-old foetuses lacking of corticosteroids, both activities of argininosuccinate synthetase and arginase are enhanced.


Sorbitol dehydrogenase in Anas platyrhynchos and Zenaida auriculata auriculata during development. Sorbitol dehydrogenase (E.C.N. 1.1.1.14) was studied in liver, kidney and gonads of Zenaida auriculata auriculata (golden pigeon) and of Anas platyrhynchos (creole domestic duck) from South American faunes. The specific activity of SDH increased from embryonic to adult stage and is higher in the Anas platyrhynchos tissues. The electrophoretic studies performed in liver and kidney of both species during development showed variations in the number and intensity of the bands in accordance with the age and the species.


Effects of magnetic field on inflammation. The effects of a 50 Hz magnetic field on experimentally-induced inflammation in rats were studied. Carrageenan edema was inhibited significantly by exposure to magnetic field for 3 h. Adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats was also suppressed by the magnetic field.


Inhibitory effect of beta-hydroxyglutamic acid on a molluscan giant neurone. We found a spontaneously firing neurone, inhibited by beta-hydroxy(erythro)-L-glutamic acid, identified in the subesophageal ganglia of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac), although this neurone is not sensitive to L-glutamic acid. We suggest that beta-hydroxy(erythro)-L-glutamic acid may be a putative inhibitory synaptic transmitter of the identified molluscan neurone.


Study of micro-circulation in web of frog (Xenous laevis Daudin) by using Laser Doppler microscope. The flow velocity profile in the venule of frog web was measured by using a laser Doppler microscope of a crossed-beam which permitted a measurement of flow velocity in a clearly defined small volume. The flow velocity profile in the venule seems to deviate slightly from the Newtonian parabola.


Noradrenaline synthesis in human fetal heart. The capacity of noradrenaline synthesis was investigated in 6 isolated human fetal hearts (13-23 gestational week). The mean rate of transforming perfused labelled tyrosine to noradrenaline in atrial, ventricular, and mediastinal tissue was 0.175, 0.168, and 0.108 mug/g tissue/h, respectively.


Nonsympathetic dilator innervation of cat cerebral arteries. The results presented provide strong support for the presence of vasodilator innervation in the cat cerebral arteries. The dilator innervation is neither adrenergic nor cholinergic and does not originate in the superior cervical ganglia. The nature of the vasodilator transmitter is unidentified. Such innervation, however, may be involved in the regulation of cerebral blood flow, especially in view of the capability of some cat cerebral vessels to develop intrinsic muscle tone.


Altered arterial connective tissue in racing greyhound dogs. Vascular collagen and elastin contents and the ratio of collagen/elastin (C/E) were studied in racing greyhound dogs, a breed which exhibits increased cardiac output. As compared to mongrel dogs, vascular C/E was lower, suggesting a greater distensibility of vessels as an adaptive response to hemodynamic stress.


Critical comment on the "trophic" influence of the effector organ on the sympathetic nerves of the male sex accessories of the guinea-pig. There is no absolute parallelism between organ noradrenaline content and organ weight in the male sex accessories during normal development or following regression after castration.


A comparative study on the effects of brain extracts and mesodermal membrane extracts on nerve cell differentiation. Extracts prepared from the mesodermal tissue surrounding the brain stimulate the differentiation of morphologically undifferentiated neuroblasts, while the differentiation of more mature neuroblasts is influenced by brain extracts.


Muscular respiratory receptors in self-regulation of normal breathing in man. In man, in the process of evolution the proprioceptive reflexes from the chest muscle during apnea become weak. Probably the impulses from the respiratory stretch receptors do not take part in self-regulation of eupnea.


The influence of furosemide on the renal excretion of chloramphenicol and its metabolites. Simultaneous administration of chloramphenicol and furosemide (10 mg i.v.) decreased urinary excretion of chloramphenicol but increased the excretion of its metabolites as aryl amines and total nitro compounds. These latter increases were directly related to Na excretion.


Dependence on age of methamphetamine-produced changes in thermoregulation and metabolism. In contrast to juvenile mice, old mice treated with methamphetamine are unable to adequately mobilize their carbohydrate reserves. They cannot increase their overall metabolism and become hypothermic, while juvenile mice react with increased calorigenesis and hyperthermia.


In vitro demonstration of seasonal transition effect on acetylcholine liberation from Auerbach's plexus of non-hibernator. Acetylcholine release from Auerbach's plexus of guinea-pig ileum, in vitro, both spontaneous and evoked by field-stimulation, responds to the seasonal transition from the spring to close to the beginning of summer. It did not change during the summer, however, tended to be higher than during the initial period (3 weeks after the beginning of spring).


An evaluation of apomorphine action on doapminergic receptors. The controversial literature reports leave open a question whether apomorphine (APO) and dopamine (DA) share a common receptor? After careful evlauation of the arguments, both for and against, about direct action of APO on DA receptor we propose that rigid molecules like APO hold trans-cisoid conformation and preferably interact with the pre-synaptic DA receptors while ADTN (2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrxonaphthalene) incorporates trans-transcoid conformation and primarily acts on post-synpatic DA receptors. Dopamine, by virtue of its molecular flexibility, can act on both the receptors.


The uptake of 35S by hypothalamic and neurohypophysial proteins following intraventricular injection of L-cysteine-35S-hydrochloride in rats dehydrated and reserpinized. In rats dehydrated for 48 h and injected intraventricularly with L-cysteine-35S-hydrochloride, the specific activity of TCA-precipitable material, both in the hypothalamus and neurohypophysis, was found to diminish under reserpine treatment.


The site of triglyceride biosynthesis in milk. THe triglyceride biosynthesis which occurs in freshly secreted goat skim milk can be localized predominantly to large (1-8 mum) pieces of membrane-bounded cytoplasm. These contain the usual cytoplasmic organelles (but no nucleus) plus one or more large lipid droplets.


Dense core vesicles in cerebral cortex of the human fetus. The present study clearly demonstrates that by the 15th week of gestation dense core vesicles appear within the human cerebral cortex. These vesicles can be identified within axon cylinders, axon growth cones, and axon synaptic terminals. The role of these vesicles is speculative, yet, their very presence at this early fetal stage seems to reflect an advanced state of synaptic vesicle development.


Primary neural induction as studied by scanning electron microscopy. Normal primary neural induction has been studied by scanning electron microscopy and the results compared with those obtained by TEM. Mesoderm cells are usually in contact with several other cells, both mesodermal and endodermal in origin. By SEM the ectoderm layer has been shown to be in contact with the underlying mesoderm cells. Tufts of fibrous basement membrane are also present between the two cell types. TEM specimens also show an intermediate basement membrane.


An ultrastructural investigation of the effects of perinatal malnutrition on E-PTA-stained synaptic junctions. The effect of protein-deficient diet on E-PTA stained synapses in rat cerebral cortex was studied by electron microscopy. No significant difference was observed in synaptic morphology between control and malnourished animals at 35 days postnatal.