Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity to target cells infected with herpes simplex viruses: functional adequacy in the neonate. The functional adequacy of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in the human neonate was evaluated in a 51Cr release assay which employs tissue culture cells acutely infected with type 1 or type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV) as targets. Two aspects of ADCC were assessed: cytotoxic effector activity in cord blood mononuclear cells (MC) and the ability of the antibody mediating ADCC to pass the placenta. Although effector cell activity was readily detected in all 13 cord blood specimens tested, cord blood MC showed moderately reduced cytotoxic activity when compared with blood MC from normal adults at the same effector cell:target cell ratio. This finding suggests that effector cells in cord blood make up a reduced proportion of the total circulating MC population and may be of relevance to the newborn's increased susceptibility to HSV infection. On the other hand, the number of MC in cord blood was found to be almost twice that of adult blood, suggesting that the absolute number of ADCC effector cells in cord blood was within the adult range. The antibody mediating ADCC to HSV-infected cells was shown to be transferred quantitatively across the placenta, providing further evidence that it is an IgG immunoglobulin.


Protection against varicella in family contacts by immediate inoculation with live varicella vaccine. A live varicella vaccine (Oka strain) was given to susceptible household contacts of varicella to test the protective efficacy of the vaccination. Twenty-six contacts of 21 families were vaccinated, usually within three days after onset of the index cases. None of the vaccinated children developed clinical symptoms of varicella. Eighteen of 24 sera obtained before vaccination were found to be seronegative by complement fixation and neutralization tests. Seroconversion was observed in all of the 18. On the other hand, all of 19 unvaccinated contacts in the 15 families, who served as controls, showed typical manifestations of varicella from 10 to 33 days after onset of the index varicella cases. In three families, where only one sibling contact received vaccine and the other was an unvaccinated control, none of the vaccinated children showed any clinical symptoms while unvaccinated controls exhibited typical varicella symptoms 10 to 14 days after the onset of the index cases. These results indicate that varicella is prevented in household contacts by vaccination within three days following exposure.


Protective efficacy of vaccination in children in four episodes of natural varicella and zoster in the ward. It was previously reported that a live varicella vaccine (Oka strain) has been developed and that the immediate vaccination of hospitalized children was effective for prevention of spread of varicella in a ward. Six to nine months later, there were four separate episodes of varicella and zoster in the same ward. Eighteen children (11 with nephrotic syndrome, 6 with nephritis, and 1  with hepatitis) with no history of varicella were inoculated with a live vaccine before or immediately after admittance or occurence of the varicella and zoster cases. Twelve of them had been receiving steroid therapy and 15 of the 18 were found to be seronegative by complement fixation and neutralization tests before the vaccination. All of them became seropositive after vaccination without any clinical symptoms. The longest period between vaccination and exposure was nine months. None of the vaccinees exhibited varicella symptoms after exposure. Serological follow-up of ten vaccinated children was done, and booster responses were observed in some of them after exposure. These results suggest that the live vaccine affords immunity to the recipients. If hospitalized children are vaccinated before or immediately after exposure, isolation of the patient is unnecessary.


Visual masking and carbon monoxide toxicity. Thresholds for letters were measured with and without a masking stimulus (presented either to the same eye as the letters or to the other eye) before and after exposure of smokers and nonsmokers to 500 ppm carbon monoxide (CO) in air for 1 hr. Identification of the unmasked letters was not degraded by CO but a number of thresholds of the masked letters were significantly affected among the smokers. The effects of the CO on binocular and interocular masking were similar. These results suggest that the first effects of CO toxicity are neither on the receptors nor central but on the transmission lines in between and that smokers are more susceptible than nonsmokers to short-term increases in the level of CO. The masking phenomenon, however, does not appear to be an unusually sensitive measure of CO toxicity.


Necker cube and autokinetic illusions after awakening from REM and NONREM sleep: lack of effect. Earlier studies demonstrated differential perceptions of the visual illusions, beta movements and spiral aftereffect, following awakening from REM and NONREM sleep. The present study tested the effects of awakening from the two phases of sleep on two additional visual illusions, the Necker cube and autokinetic illusions. 12 young adults were wakened from REM and NONREM sleep and tested on both illusions for three 1-min. trials, within 1 to 2 min. of the awakening. Comparison of the post-REM and post-NONREM illusions indicated a nonsignificant difference between the two waking conditions in the passive spontaneous reversal rates of the Necker cube. Data for the autokinetic illusion were not reported as they were unreliable.


[Enzootic calcinosis and other plant induced calcinoses (author's transl)]. A review is given of the literature concerning the so-called plant induced calcinosis in animals (tabel I), i.e. diseases which in their patological-anatomical appearance show great similarities with vit. D-intoxication. The etiology of the diseases are discussed in view of the last 5--10 years rapid development of knowledge concerning vit. D3 metabolism. It is pointed out that the most recent results indicate that enzootic calcinosis is caused by a 1,25-dihydrocholecalciferol-glycoside, which is hydrolysed in the intestinal tract. By this reaction 1.25 (OH) 2 cholecalciferol--the biological active metabolite of vit. D3 -- is set free, and thus able to act directly on the intestinal absorption mechanism. By this reaction the point of calcium metabolism regulation is essentially by-passed and calcium and phosphate absorption proceeds essentially out of control, causing hypercalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia, hypersecretion of calcitonin and calcinosis.


Sequence analysis of T1 ribonuclease fragments of 18S ribosomal RNA by 5'-terminal labeling, partial digestion, and homochromatography fingerprinting. The method employed to determine the sequence of a T1 RNase fragment, A-A-A-A-A-U-A-A-C-A-A-U-A-C-A-Gp, from Novikoff rat hepatoma 18S ribosomal RNA is described. This method is applicable to any oligoribonucleotide produced by specific endonucleases that leave the newly cleaved 5'-end free for labeling with polynucleotide kinase and gamma-(32p)-ATP. The (32p)-labeled oligoribonucleotide is subjected to partial endonucleolytic digestion and fractionated by two-dimensional homochromatography fingerprinting. The nucleotide sequence is determined by following mobility shifts of the labeled and partially digested oligoribonucleotides in homochromatography fingerprinting.


Arylsulfonyltetrazoles, new coupling reagents and further improvements in the triester method for the synthesis of deoxyribooligonucleotides. The modified triester approach has been further improved and refined to the synthesis of defined sequences of deoxyribo-oligonucleotides. Improvements include arylsulfonyltetrazoles as faster and milder condensing agents, benzenesulfonic acid to avoid depurination during deblocking of trityl protecting groups and improved chromatographic procedures for purification of triester intermediates and purification of the final product containing 3'-5' phosphodiester linkages.


Phosphorylation of tRNA by T4 polynucleotide kinase. The phosphorylation of various intact tRNA species by T4 polynucleotide kinase has been studied. The apparent Michaelis constant was on the average found to be 100 times lower than for some single-stranded DNAs previously studied. (J.R. Lillehaug and K. Kleppe, (1975) Biochemistry, 14, 1221). Conditions which result in complete phosphorylation of different tRNA species have also been established. Studies on equilibrium constants and the reversibility of the reaction revealed that the phosphorylation reaction is not a true equilibrium reaction under the conditions used in this work.


Isolation of mammalian tRNAAsp and tRNATyr by lectin-Sepharose affinity column chromatography. tRNAAsp from rabbit liver, rat liver and rat ascites hepatoma was readily isolated by concanavalin A-Sepharose (Con A-Sepharose) affinity column chromatography. tRNATyr from these sources was extensively purified by Ricinus communis lectin-Sepharose column chromatography. These results, together with the chromatographic behaviour of four tRNAs (tRNATyr, tRNAHis, tRNAAsn and tRNAAsp) on acetylated DBAE-cellulose column chromatography suggested that tRNAAsp contains a Q nucleoside species having a mannose moiety while tRNATyr contains Q nucleoside with galactose. The sugars attached in 4-position of cyclopentene diol in the Q molecule are therefore not present at random in the four tRNAs, but present only in each specific tRNA. This is the first case which shows that plant agglutinin interacts with nucleic Acid as well as polysaccharide and glycoproteins.


The effects of mercury ingestion on hepatic mitochondrial membranes of chicks. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was measured in livers of chicks receiving 0, 200,250 or 300 p.p.m. mercury (as HgC12) in the drinking water beginning at one week of age. In the first experiment treatment with 200 p.p.m. mercury for up to 4 weeks tended to increase the activity of cytochrome c oxidase and decrease the proportion of free (measured in untreated liver preparations) to total (measured in Triton X-100 treated liver preparations) enzyme activity as compared with controls. However, the differences, which appeared after 1 week of treatment were not always statistically significant. The fatty acid composition of mitochondrial lipids was not affected by treatment with 200 p.p.m. mercury for 4 weeks. In the second experiment, treatment with 300 p.p.m. mercury for 4 weeks resulted in significantly higher total cytochrome c oxidase specific activity and a significantly lower proportion of free to total enzyme activity as compared with controls. However, mitochondrial susceptibility to rupture by freezing and thawing was not affected. In the third experiment chicks were given 250 p.p.m. mercury in the drinking water from 1 through 9 weeks of age. The mercury-treated chicks exhibited severe tremors at 9 weeks while the controls were unaffected. Cytochome c oxidase total specific activity was significantly reduced in trembling chicks, and the proportion of free to total enzyme activity was significantly increased as was the susceptibility of isolated mitochondria to rupture by freezing and thawing. The data suggest that moderate levels of mercury administered over an 8 week period can affect adversely the integrity of mitochondrial membranes.


Validation of questionnaires on physical function. Data-gathering instruments were used in a randomized controlled trial, designed to assess a structured preoperative educational program for elective surgical patients. The key dependent variable was the physical functional capacity of patients following surgery. Questionnaires were developed to measure physical functioning in the immediate postoperative period, after discharge from hospital, and 10 days and 33 days after surgery. Statistical techniques used to measure interobserver agreement and bias  were worker's chi square, Cicchett's statistic, the contingency coefficient, Kendall's Taub, and Kendall's coefficient of concordance W. The standardized questionnaires permitted classification of patients's postoperative physical functions with results that agreed highly with the classification done by experienced clinicians who cared for the same patients.


Effect of formaldehyde on disinfection of filtered air under positive pressure (FAPP) type house. Effect of formaldehyde liberated from formalin on disinfection of the surface of a filtered air under positive pressure (FAPP) house and the surface of equipment placed in the house was studied. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and avian adenovirus were used in this study as a indicator to evaluate degree of disinfection. Satisfactory degree of disinfection of the house and equipment was obtained when formaldehyde was liberated from 40 ml. of formalin per 1 m.3 capacity. Bacteria and virus used in the experiments, as well as air-borne organisms in the house, were perfectly inactivated by fumigation for 24 hours at the level of formalin mentioned above.


Effect of ultraviolet light and oral vitamin D3 on rachitic chicks fed diets containing either corn or rye. Three experiments using day-old chicks were conducted in battery brooders to further study the rye-vitamin D antagonism. Birds were fed a vitamin D3-free diet containing corn or rye and submitted to diverse treatments for the first 10 days. At this time the chicks were either continued on the same diet or changed to other grain-type diets. The effect of ultraviolet light exposure on the chicks and of a single oral dose of vitamin D3 was studied, and body weight gain and bone ash were determined after a one-week experimental period. Rachitic chicks on a corn diet responded significantly better than rye-fed chicks to a single oral dose of vitamin D3, based on bone ash of fat-free, dry tibia. This rachitogenic effect of rye was completely overcome by exposing the chicks to ultraviolet light or by water extraction or acid-autoclaving this grain. The results also demonstrate that the interference by rye does not persist after this grain is removed from the diet.


[Histochemical characteristics of the activity of succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase in certain tissues and organs of patients with thyrotoxicosis and animals with experimental thyroidin toxicosis]. The activity of succinic dehydrogenase and cytochromoxidase was studied histochemically in the peripheral blood leukocytes, the thyroid gland tissue and the skeletal muscles of the patients suffering from thyrotoxicosis. The activity of these enzymes is also determined in the blood leukocytes, the cardiac muscle, the liver and the skeletal muscles of the experimental animals given thyroidin in a dose of 0.1 g per 100 g of body weight in the course of 10 days. A marked elevation of the activity of the oxidative enzymes in the patients with an increase of the severity of thyrotoxicosis and in the animals after the thyroidin administration was noted. The absence of any changes in the succinic dehydrogenase and cytochromoxidase activity in the tissue of the skeletal muscles permitted to suppose that increase of the oxidative processes occurred primarily in the organs bearing a great functional load (the thyroid gland, liver, skeletal muscle, etc.).


[Certain indicators of carbohydrate metabolism and functional state of the islands of Langerhans in thyrotoxicosis]. The character of the sugar curves, blood insulin activity and the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase was studied in patients with thyrotoxicosis. It was revealed that thyrotoxicosis was accompanied by an increase in Bodwen's hyperglycemic coefficient with the normal values of Rafalsky's and Sokolnikov's coefficients. In this disease blood insulin activity was elevated, and the response of the insular apparatus to hyperglycemia considerably exceeded such in the control. The blood serum activity of glucoso-6-phosphatase was also elevated and failed to change in different glycemia levels. The mentioned indices increased considerably with the aggravation of the disease.


Effect of gemfibrozil on lipoprotein concentrations in different types of hyperlipoproteinaemia. The lipoprotein lowering effect of gemfibrozil, 400 mg twice daily, was studied for 24 weeks in 26 subjects with primary hyperlipoproteinaemia (type IIa, 5; IIb, 3; III, 3; and IV, 15). Maximum effects were noted after four weeks on very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and after 12 weeks on low density lipoproteins (LDL), these effects remaining throughout the study. Gemfibrozil decreased VLDL triglycerides (TG) in all types of hyperlipoproteinaemia according to the equation: deltaVLDL TG (mmol/l) = -0.80 X initial VLDL TG concentration + 0.68 The drug affected the low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol= -0.45 X initial LDL cholesterol + 61 This means that LDL cholesterol on average decreased if the initial LDL concentration was above 135 mg/100 ml and increased below that concentration. LDL TG and high density lipoprotein (HDL) TG concentrations also decreased significantly. A slight increase in HDL cholesterol concentration occurred after administration of gemfibrozil. Two subjects had to stop treatment because of nausea and abdominal pain respectively, attributed to the drug. No biochemical side effects were noted.


[Histochemical characteristics of some oxidation-reduction hydrolytic enzymes in different forms of goiter]. Histochemical study of some enzymatic systems was conducted in various form of goiter. A study was made of the thyroid gland tissue obtained during the operation in 96 patients. Euthyrosis was accompanied by a decrease in the succinic dehydrogenase, cytochromoxidase, iodide peroxidase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity. As to thyrotoxic goiter - it displayed an increase in the activity of these enzymes and desquamation of the follicular epithelium; the rejected cells possessed a high acid phosphatase activity. In comparison with thyrotoxic goiter, Askinazi's cell count was increased in the euthyroid macrofollicular nodular and diffuse goiter.


Gemfibrozil: effect on serum lipids, lipoproteins, postheparin plasma lipase activities and glucose tolerance in primary hypertriglyceridaemia. The hypolipidaemic effect of a new drug, gemfibrozil (CI-719), was studied for 20 weeks in 20 patients with primary type IIb, III, IV or V hyperlipoproteinaemia. Baseline recordings of serum cholesterol (9.1 mmol/l), triglyceride (3.79 mmol/l) and ultra-centrifugally isolated lipoproteins were obtained during a six-week pretreatment period with stable diet and body weight. With 800 mg of gemfibrozil per day given in two divided doses, the mean serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were decreased by 44.6% and 10.5% respectively, during 20 treatment weeks. Only 2 patients were completely resistant to the hypolipidaemic action of the drug. Serum triglyceride was brought down to normal levels in 9 subjects. After 12 weeks of treatment the mean VLDL-triglyceride, VLDL-cholesterol, and LDL-triglyceride were reduced by 48.5%, 57.6%, and 22.7% respectively, while the HDL-cholesterol rose by 16%. The LDL-cholesterol increased slightly but significantly during treatment in type IV patients and decreased in type IIb patients. The change of LDL-cholesterol showed an inverse correlation with the initial LDL-cholesterol level (r=-0.87). The postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities, determined separately by an immunochemical method, increased during four weeks of gemfibrozil treatment (+18.1% and +20.6% respectively), but neither of these changes was significantly correlated with the changes in any of the serum lipid or lipoprotein levels. Oral glucose tolerance was not influenced by the treatment, but one-hour plasma insulin increased slightly during administration of the drug. One patient discontinued the drug after eight weeks because of generalized allergic eczema, but no other side effects were recorded. It is concluded that gemfibrozil is highly effective in reducing elevated serum VLDL levels. The simultaneous elevation of LDL in type IV patients needs more attention and study. The mechanism of the hypolipidaemic action of the drug is so far obscure, but it might partly be due to an increased efficiency in VLDL removal by an increased activity of lipoprotein lipase.


[Effect of ACTH on the transformation of progesterone by the adrenal glands of human fetuses in vitro]. It was shown in vitro that ACTH influenced the progesterone transformation increasing corticosterone production only in those fetuses whose adrenal glands, in the absence of ACTH, transformed progesterone chiefly into hydrocortisone (8--12-week fetuses). But exogenous ACTH failed to influence such transformation of progesterone in 17--24-week fetuses in which the adrenal glands, in the absence of ACTH preparation, produced an equal amount of hydrocortisone and corticosterone. The results obtained and also the data on ACTH content in the hypophysis and the blood of human fetuses at various periods of prenatal development indicated that the changes in progesterone transformation occurring with the advance of fetal age was caused by endogenous ACTH.


Gemfibrozil treatment: a comparison with clofibrate. Gemfibrozil was found to be an effective hypotriglyceridaemic agent in types IV, IIb and V hyperlipoproteinaemia. When given at a dose level of 800 mg/day its activity was nearly of the same order of magnitude as 1.5 g/day of clofibrate.


Lipokinetic studies with gemfibrozil (CI-719). Gemfibrozil (CI-719) has proved to be an effective agent in reducing the plasma triglyceride levels in experimental animals and in patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridaemia. We have confirmed these findings.


Facilitation of retention performance in mice by posttraining diethyldithiocarbamate. These experiments examined the effects in mice of posttraining injections of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) upon retention (7 days after training) of active avoidance learning and upon whole brain catecholamine levels. When administered immediately following training, DDC enhanced retention performance. The degree of enhancement varied directly with dose. DDC did not significantly affect retention performance if the injections were delayed 1 or 4 hours after training. Also, DDC administered 30 min prior to training did not affect retention performance. DDC (900 mg/kg) produced a large but transient increase in whole brain dopamine (DA) levels while norepinephrine (NE) levels were lowered.


Effect of ACTH 4-10 on copulatory bahavior and on the response for socio-sexual motivation in the female rat. Female copulatory behavior and the urge of a female rat to seek contact with a sexually active male was studied after treatment with the peptide ACTH 4-10. No effects of this peptide were seen on the copulatory response of ovariectomized females treated with estradiol benzoate (EB) alone or EB and progesterone combined. An increasing barrier technique was used to measure how much of an average stimulus (cresssing an electrified grid) a female was willing to endure to gain contact with sexually active male. It has been shown in previous investigations (15) with ovariectomized rats that after a certain time of adaptation and training in this apparatus the response attained remains at a certain basal level from which it is increased by treatment with EB. Animals treated with ACTH 4-10 during the phase of adaptation and training attained a significantly higher basal response level than controls. This effect was only observed when the peptide treatment covered the period of adaptation and was not seen when the treatment was started after this critical period. The EB-induced response was not influenced by ACTH 4-10 given during the period of adaptation or given in connection with the EB treatment. It is concluded that ACTH 4-10 influenced the acquired response level but had no effect on steroid induced responses, which are probably controlled by more innate mechanisms.


Effect of epinephrine on cyclic AMP levels and adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase activities in control and antigen-sensitized guinea pig lungs. Cyclic AMP levels and adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase activities were measured in control and ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pig lungs. Cyclic AMP levels were raised by epinephrine (0.01-10 mug/ml) in both control and sensitized lungs; the response being larger in the former group. Epinephrine (10(-9) -10(-6) M) stimulated adenylate cyclase in sensitized but had only a minimal effect in control preparations. Phosphodiesterase activities were equal in both groups. The hypersensitivity of adenylate cyclase response to epinephrine concurrent with diminished accumulation of cyclic AMP in sensitized guinea pigs indicate that antigen sensitization alters the response of the cyclic AMP system to epinephrine.


Characterization of the oxybutynin antagonism of drug-induced spasms in detrusor. Oxybutynin chloride exerts a moderate anticholinergic effect on rabbit detrusor in vitro, which is reversible and competitive in nature (KB = 4.7 x 10(-9), and midway in potency between atropine and papaverine. In addition, oxybutynin strongly antagonizes BaCl2-induced spasms of detrusor with a potency equivalent to that of papaverine and 10 times that of atropine. This musculotropic spasmolytic effect is slightly greater in rabbit than human or monkey tissue, and noncompetitive (pD2 = 5.5). This direct relaxant effect, unlike that of papaverine, is not mediated by the inhibition of tissue phosphodiesterase, but probably reflects oxybutynin's local anesthetic properties and associated effects on Ca++ fluxes and binding.


Experimental considerations biological ESR studies. II. Chromium-tissue complexes detected by electron spin resonance. The nature and origin of a g = 1-98 signal observed in ESR investigations of tissue have been established. It is due to paramagnetic chromium which is introduced into tissues during sample handling. This characteristic signal could be used to measure chromium levels in tissues.


[Electroneurographical examination of agricultural workers exposed to plant protective agents]. Clinical and neurological as well as electromyographic examinations were made on twenty-five subjects working in agriculture and handling plant protection products. Measurements of the rate of nerve conduction were made on the peroneal and median nerves. The average rate of conduction of the peroneal nerve was found to be reduced in persons who had been exposed o plant protectives for more than three years. Electroneurography appears to be useful method of recognizing polyneuropathic symptoms of chronic and toxic affections caused by insecticides.


On dreaming at sleep onset.

On dreaming at sleep onset. The position that dreaming occurs exclusively during REM sleep, which has its first onset after sixty to ninety minutes of nonREM sleep, has been effectively refuted in sleep laboratories but remains uncorrected in the psychoanalytic literature. Examples of hallucinatory activity occurring during the sleep onset period and during a brief nap are shown to have all the characteristics of dreams, including latent content related to repressed material from childhood.


Cocaine effects on sleep parameters in the rat. Cocaine in 6 mg/kg doses was administered orally and intraperitoneally to rats and sleep EEG's recorded. Cocaine significantly reduced total sleep time, slow-wave sleep, and sleep latency. Rapid eye movement sleep (REM) was significantly suppressed during the first half of the sleep recording. These effects were evident by both routes of administration. The effects of cocaine on total sleep time in animals parallels that observed in man.


The effect of labour on uterine blood flow in the pregnant ewe. The effect of labour on cardiac output and uterine blood flow was measured in pregnant ewes at a mean gestation of 124 days using radioactive microspheres labelled with 169Yb and 85Sr. Labour was induced by a continuous infusion of ACTH into the foetal circulation. Cardiac ouput measured before ACTH infusion in seven ewes was 5234 +/- 175-9 ml./min (mean +/- S.E.) and total uterine blood flow was 732 +/- 57-9 ml./min (mean +/- S.E.). Measurements during labour in six ewes showed a significant increase in cardiac output to 6175 +/- 149-6 ml./min (P less than 0-005) but no significant change in uterine blood flow. However, the partition of blood flow was altered; thus myometrial flow increased by 67% from 114 +/- 15-4 ml./min to 190 +/- 13-2 ml./min (P less than 0-005) while placental blood flow decreased, although not significantly, from 618 +/- 55-9 ml./min to 575 +/- 40-7 ml./min. Similar changes were observed in one ewe in spontaneous labour at term and in another ewe receiving an infusion of 4 mg oestradiol 17beta over a 24 hr period. It is concluded that labour is not associated with any major alternation in total uterine blood flow although myometrial blood flow is increased. It is not known whether this is due to the rise in circulating oestrogens which occurs prior to parturition in the ewe, or to other factors such as the work of uterine muscle during labour.


[The diagnostic value of the determination of cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in urine]. Many hormones initiate their biologic actions by augmenting the intracellular concentrations of 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). The nucleotide has been found in body fluids; its determination in plasma and urine can be performed by a rapid, simple and specific method: the cyclic AMP assay kit of the Radiochemical Centre (Amersham, England). The assay is based on the competition between unlabelled cAMP and a fixed quantity of the tritium labelled compound for binding to a bovine muscle protein which has a high specificity and affinity for cAMP. Different factors must be considered in evaluating the 24 h urinary content of the nucleotide: the renal or extrarenal origin of cAMP and the functional status of the kidneys. In basal conditions the urinary cAMP excretion is significantly correlated with creatinine excretion (n = 67; r = 0.47; p less than 0.001) thus confirming that the most part of cAMP excreted is derived from the plasma by glomerular filtration. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates adenylate cyclase predominantly in the renal cortex, whereas vasopressin (ADH) stimulated the enzyme in the medulla; thus PTH and ADH could increase the amount of cAMP in the urine from the renal source. In a case of diabetes insipidus and infusion of ADH caused a prompt rise in cAMP urinary excretion. In 5 normals an infusion of bovine synthetic parathyroid hormone caused an increased excretion of cAMP that preceded the phosphaturic response. An infusion of salmon synthetic calcitonin caused a rise in phosphate excretion and no increase in cAMP urinary content. As it concerns the two calciotopic hormones, PTH and CT, it is reasonable to assume that renal receptors are distinct. The 24 h urinary excretion of cAMP in 55 control subjects (3613 +/- 1460 D.S. n moles) was contrasted with the lower excretion in 25 elderly subjects (70-93 years: 1804 +/- 699 n moles), with the high cAMP excretion in a patient with hyperparathyroidism (that fell to normal values following removal of the parathyroid adenoma) and with the low cAMP excretion in patients with primary or surgical hypoparathyroidism. The mean 24 h cAMP excretion in patients with renal insufficiency was significantly decreased when compared to control subjects. These findings and recent reports confirm that the 24 h urinary output of cAMP may be considered an useful index of pharathyroid function in man.


Arteritis following protracted supervoltage pelvic irradiation. Report of a case. Arterial injuries attributed to irradiation are most frequent about the head and neck and are invariably triggered by infection, infarction, or fistulas. Vascular changes from surgery or invasive behavior of tumor can also contribute to local vascular insufficiencies. It is quite possible in humans that irradiation can accelerate the aging processes in atherosclerotic vessels. The case reported is unusual in that rather routine, postoperative, pelvic irradiation was given for pelvic soft tissue and bone carcinomatosis, only to be followed in 6 months to 1 year by vascular insufficiency symptoms in the lower extremities. Symptoms progressed to the point that surgical correction was contemplated, but then postponed when signs and symptoms improved following cessation of smoking. The patient had had no previous history of a Reynaud's diathesis. Although histologic proof is lacking (patient continues to do generally quite well 5 years following palliative treatment), field films and subsequent angiographic abnormalities can be superimposed almost exactly. Neither author is entirely happy with the diagnosis of 'radiation arteritis' for the reasons discussed, but the coincidence of radiation fields and areas of arterial damage makes the role of irradiation indicating.


Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (cylindroma) of the trachea. Two cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea, and a review of the literature, are presented. This unusual and often undiagnosed tumor closely mimics asthma and chronic bronchitis. Although many patients die within 2 to 3 years of the onset of symptoms without appropriate treatment, adequate therapy should lead to survival of 10 years or more. The radiologist should make the initial diagnosis by noting the tumor, which is frequently located posterolaterally and in the middle third of the trachea.


Cyclic AMP response to prostaglandin E1 in mononuclear cells from peripheral blood and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The cyclic AMP response to prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was studied in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) mononuclear cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The PGE1 induced accumulation of cyclic AMP was consistently (7 of 8 patients) less in cell suspensions derived from SF than in suspensions of equivalent numbers of mononuclear cells obtained simultaneously from PB. The high PB/SF cyclic AMP ratio was seen most clearly at the lowest concentration (10(-6)M) of PGE1 tested. There was no correlation between the patients' therapy and cyclic AMP response to PGE1. The high PB/SF cyclic AMP ratio was not accounted for by the presence of platelets in PB cell suspensions.


Methyl xanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitors behave as prostaglandin antagonists in a perfused rat mesenteric artery preparation. The methyl xanthines, theophylline, caffeine and 3-isobutyl-1 methyl xanthine (MIX) inhibited the pressure responses to noradrnealine, angiotensin II and potassium ions in the isolated perfused mesenteric vascular bed of the male rat. The ID50s for inhibition of responses to noradrenaline were 1.85 mug/ml (0.83 x 10(-5) M) for MIX, 18 mug/ml (1 x 10(-4)M) for theophylline and 133 mug/ml (6.8 x 10(-4) M) for caffeine. Similar ID50 concentrations were found for responses to angiotensin II and potassium. We have previously found that substances which inhibit the three pressor agents equally may be prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibitors or PG antagonists. Xanthine itself, cyclic AMP and dibutyrl cyclic AMP had no inhibitory effects on the preparation up to concentrations of 10-2 M. Partial inhibition of PG synthesis by indomethacin shifted the % inhibition/log concentration curve to the left, while addition of exogenous PGE2 shifted it to the right. In preparations completely inhibited by sufficient indomethacin added to the perfusate to block PG synthesis, and then restored by adding 1 or 5 ng/ml PGE2 in addition to the indomethacin, the methyl xanthines again inhibited responses suggesting that they were PG antagonists rather than inhibitors of synthesis or release. In preliminary experiments MIX also inhibited effects of PGF2alpha on rat uterus and PGE1 on guinea pig ileum. Effective concentrations of theophylline were similar to the therapeutic levels in human plasma. PG antagonists may be a major action of methyl xanthines requiring reinterpretation of many experiments which have attributed their effects to PDE inhibition. PGs may also be involved in regulating PDE action.


Elevation of prostaglandin and cyclic AMP levels by arachidonic acid in primary epithelial cell cultures of C3H mouse mammary tumors. Arachidonic acid causes a sharp transient increase in cyclic AMP levels in primary epithelial cell cultures obtained from C3H mouse mammary tumors. The effect is evident within two minutes and is enhanced by theophylline or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Maximum increase in cyclic AMP levels are observed with a dose of 100 mug/ml of arachidonic acid (AA). At higher dose levels the increase in cyclic AMP levels is reduced. Naproxen, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis in this system markedly reduces the stimulation of cyclic AMP by arachidonic acid but it does not affect the increase in cyclic AMP levels observed after the addition of prostaglandin E's, epinephrine or cholera enterotoxin. Arachidonic acid, under the same conditions, also causes a significant elevation of PGE and PGF media levels which is slower and more sustained than the cAMP response. The data strongly suggest that a metabolic of arachidonic acid is responsible for the cyclic rise, however, it is not certain whether this is due to PGE2 or some other product.


Possible relation of prostaglandins to PMN-derived mediators of host metabolic responses to inflammation. Stimulated rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) preparations simultaneously produce prostaglandin-like material and mediators that induce metabolic alterations in experimental animals characteristic of the host's responses to inflammation. The alterations observed in rats include responses by: proteins, carbohydrates, hormones, trace metals, and total blood neutrophils. This study demonstrates a possible relationship between prostaglandins and PMN-derived substances that mediate plasma zinc depression, hepatic amino acid uptake, and increased numbers of blood neutrophils. Production of these mediators by stimulated-PMN preparations was prevented by 23 muM indomethacin or 93 muM aspirin. Conversely, morphine (2 mM or less) had no detrimental effect on production of these mediators, although, it consistently stimulated production of a substance stimulating total blood neutrophia. In addition, 2 muM prostaglandin E and F stimulated production of substances mediating hepatic amino acid uptake plasma zinc depression, respectively. At this concentration, neither prostaglandin significantly altered production of substances mediating increased numbers of total blood neutrophils. A partial-nitrogen atmosphere, dibutyryl cyclic analogs of AMP and GMP, or homogenization of the PMN had no effect on mediator production. The inhibitory effect of indomethacin and aspirin also was observed with PMN-homogenastes. These experimental observations suggest that prostaglandin synthesis has a function in production of mediators by stimulated-PMN preparations.


Characterization of tumour virus proteins. I. Radioimmunoassay of the P27 protein of avian viruses. The major structural protein of avian oncornaviruses, a core component of about 27000 daltons, has been measured by radioimmunoassay. The purified protein was labelled with 125Iodine by chloramine-T method. The immune serum titer was defined as the highest serum dilution able to precipitate 50% of the labelled antigen present in the system. Standard competition curve was constructed in order to determine the equivalents of protein, in a system with limiting antibody concentration. In the experimental conditions used, 0.14 ng of AMV-P27 inhibited 50% of 125I-AMV-P27 (1.0 ng) precipitation. The 125I-AMV-P27 vs anti-AMV-P27 system was used to study the competition of normal cells, purified virus suspension, productive cells and supernatant fluids. Most of the chicken embryo fibroblasts showed expression of this viral component. The phenomena of cell transformation, the increase in total protein, and the expression of P27 were studied in rapid transformation of CEF by RSV-SRA.


Effect of paraquat on rat lung prolyl hydroxylase. Acute administration of Paraquat (25 mg/kg, I.P.) was found to significantly increase prolyl hydroxylase in rat lung 7 days following treatment. There was no change in total collagen at this time point. At 21 days following drug treatment, total collagen was significantly elevated while prolyl hydroxylase activity had returned to control level.


Detection of rotavirus in experimentally infected piglets. Scouring and vomiting was induced in piglets by experimental infection with a field strain of rotavirus. Virus or viral antigen was detected in the small intestine by the fluorescent antibody technique and virus could also be demonstrated in infected tissue culture cells by immuno-fluorescence. Progeny particles in the epithelial layer of the small intestine were identified by electron microscopy. Three morphological types could be distinguished, often associated with electron-dense inclusion, and infected cells, though small in number, were present throughout the length of the small intestine.


[Viral flora (coliphages and human enteroviruses) found in river water after an urban district (Saint-Etienne). I. Comparative study of four simple and inexpensive methods for concentration and isolation of river-water viruses (author's transl)]. Four methods for the concentration of human enteroviruses in the waters of the river Furan were surveyed: the original method described by WALLIS, of adsorption of viruses on PE-60 polyelectrolyte; a modified version of the Wallis method; a method using a different polyelectrolyte available in France, the POE; the two-phase system described by SHUVAL. The best results were obtained when using the method of adsorption on polyelectrolytes, and the second method was finally chosen for field surveys.


[Viral flora (coliphages and human enteroviruses) found in river water after an urban district (Saint-Etienne). II. A virological and epidemiological survey (author's transl)]. A survey was carried out from March 1972 to February 1973 to identify viral flora found in the river Furan ater St. Etienne. The 54 samples examined revealed the following data: 1) more accurate results are obtained when viral concentration values are expressed in terms of m3/sec., taking into account the flow of the river and eliminating the seasonal dilution factor; 2) rates of enteroviruses remain constant throughout the year, in spite of a relatively rapid spontaneous inactivation of the viruses; 3) rates of coliphages vary considerably according to seasons, with a notable increase in summer; 4) the two previous data are unrelated; 5) 147 enterovirus strains were isolated, of which 44% were polioviruses; 6) virulent and attenuated types 2 and 3 polioviruses were found simultaneously at certain periods; 7) only virulent strains of type 1 poliovirus were isolated; 8) this type of survey may be useful in controlling the endemic residual poliomyelitis in the region of St. Etienne.


Lecithin--cholesterol--acyltransferase activity in the plasma of immature, oestrogenised and laying fowl (Gallus domesticus). A study was made of the role of the lecithin-cholesterol-acyltransferase (LCAT) enzyme in the changes in the concentrations and fatty acid composition of the plasma cholesteryl esters of the fowl associated with oestrogen treatment and sexual maturity. Although there was a considerable increase in the concentration of free cholesterol in the plasma of  oestrogen treated and laying birds, only in the oestrogen treated birds was it associated with an increased rate of cholesterol esterification. In both laying and oestrogen treated birds, changes in the fatty acid composition of the plasma cholesterol esters could be attributed to related changes in  the fatty acid specificity of the LCAT enzyme. Evidence is provided to indicate that the cholesterol esters in the plasma of the fowl are synthesised mainly by the plasma LCAT system. The changes in the rates and fatty acid specificity of the LCAT system in the plasma of the fowl associated with sexual maturity or oestrogen treatment are discussed in relation to the extensive alterations shown to occur in the lipoprotein pattern of the plasma.


In vitro stimulation of bovine circulating lymphocytes by parainfluenza type 3 virus. Bovine circulating lymphocytes from animals sero-positive to parainfluenza-3 virus (PIV-3) could be stimulated by PIV-3 antigen in a microculture system. A semiautomatic multiple sample harvester was used to collect the lymphocytes from the microplates. Ultraviolet-killed PIV-3 induced better stimulation values than formalin or heat-treated virus. The highest stimulation values were obtained after a stimulation time of three to five days.


Effects of starvation, surgery and infusion of adrenocorticotrophin on plasma amino acid concentration in the pregnant ewe. Total plasma amino acid concentrations (TAA) in 12 Scottish Blackface ewes between 80 and 140 days of pregnancy were unaltered by two days of starvation, but concentrations of essential amino acids (EAA) increased and non-essential amino acid (NAA) levels decreased. These trends were more pronounced later in pregnancy. Ewes fasted before surgery to implant fetal catheters showed marked reductions in mean TAA levels (--26 per cent, n-5) on the day after operation (day+ 1). Half of this decrease was accounted for by glycine. Mean concentrations of NAA increased after day +1 but by day +6 were still 15 per cent below baseline values. In contrast mean plasma concentrations of EAA were 31 per cent above prestarvation  levels on day +6 and maximal on day +4(+39 per cent). Following a two-day fast, sheep given half rations and simultaneously infused with adrenocorticotrophin showed changes in plasma-free amino acid composition like those observed during the two days after operation. Disturbances to plasma amino acid concetrations persisted for up to 12 days after operation and are attributed to the preoperative starvation and the combined effects of irregular feeding patterns and elevated plasma corticosteroid levels during and after operation.


[Use and effectiveness of scintigraphy, sonography and angiography in circumscribed disease of the liver (author's transl)]. The effectiveness of scintigraphy, sonography and angiography is compared in a material of 140 cases of circumscribed disease of the liver. Typical clinical starting points are defined as points of reference of the diagnostic techniques. Clinical diagnosis is very safe in cases of secondary blastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver. Since the great majority of these conditions cause space-occupying lesions of the liver, problems of radiologic diagnosis are confined to the smaller number of clinically ill-defined lesions. For the diagnosis of secondary blastomas and cystic process of all kinds, scintigraphy and sonography are not improved by angiography. Solid space-occupying lesions of unknown origin, however, can only be recognized with angiography. Histology of both benign and malignant processes will be correct in more than 90% of cases.


[Mandibular metastasis disclosing a primary cancer of the liver]. The authors describe a new case of mandibular metastasis of a hepatome. They recall that these metastases indicate tumour and that they are generally haemorrhagic. Diagnosis is confirmed by means of biopsy, but the scanner or echotomography and angiography reveal the primary lesion. Investigation using marked technetium pyrophosphate is essential to screen for further osseous lesions.


The visibly fluorescent phospholipids of serum lipoproteins. The blusih-white fluorescence exhibited by lipoproteins from human serum has been investigated. It appears that high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) all exhibit this fluorescence with excitation maximum at about 360 nm and fluorescence maximum at about 450 nm. The fluorescence resides in the phospholipid fraction of the lipoproteins and is not located in the fatty acids, since the water-soluble deacylated phospholipid fraction exhibited the same fluorescence. Upon electrophoresis of this fraction at pH 6.5 the fluorescent material carried a negative charge and moved a distance similar to glycerophosphoserine and glycerophosphoinositol, which both carry one negative charge. This negatively charged fluorescent product is ninhydrine negative, and gives a positive reaction for phosphate esters and 1,2-glycols. The detailed structure of the fluorescent product is not yet known. It is suggested that reactive aldehydes are involved in its formation from the aminophosphatides. Its possible relationship to tissue peroxidation is discussed.


Effect on caries of daily supervised toothbrushing with sodium monofluorophosphate and sodium fluoride dentifrices after 3 years. In a 3-year clinical trial the effect of daily supervised toothbrushing with a dentifrice containing sodium fluoride/silicon dioxide and a dentifrice containing sodium monofluorophosphate/calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate was investigated. Initially about 400 children aged 9-11 years from one school in Malmö took part in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Each group brushed their teeth daily in school under the supervision of a dental hygienist. The children and their families were given the corresponding dentifrices for home use. The children were examined for caries at the start of the study and again after an interval of 1 year by the same dentist and according to the stated criteria. A comparison of the caries increments in the two dentifrice groups revealed a statistically significantly lower caries increment during the 2nd and 3rd experimental years in the sodium fluoride dentifrice group compared with the sodium monofluorophosphate dentifrice group.


Serum myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin in neutropenia. Radioimmunosorbent assays for determination of serum content of the neutrophil proteins myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin are described. Serial studies were performed in patients with neutropenia. In 2 cases of cyclic neutropenia the myeloperoxidase level showed slight variations within the normal range during the cycle while lactoferrin displayed a clear correlation with neutrophil counts. In 1 case with persistent agranulocytosis myeloperoxidase was normal but lactoferrin was extremely low. During the regeneration phase of drug-induced neutropenia neutrophil counts and serum lactoferrin increased in a parallel fashion. Since serum myeloperoxidase was normal during profounded neutropenia it is suggested to derive primarily from myeloperoxidase-rich granulopoietic precursor cells of the marrow. Serum lactoferrin  on the other hand seems to derive from leakage of more granulopoietic cells of blood and marrow. Studies of neutrophil proteins of serum may aid in evaluation  of neutropenic patients.


Myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin of blood neutrophils and plasma in chronic granulocytic leukaemia. Myeloperoxidase, restricted to primary granules, and lactoferrin, restricted to secondary granules, were determined in plasma and neutrophils of peripheral blood in chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL). Plasma myeloperoxidase was increased 2-3 times while plasma lactoferrin increased 2-8 times. This discrepancy indicates different modes of release or elimination. A correlation was found between the leucocyte count and plasma myeloperoxidase or lactoferrin. A correlation was also found between cellular and plasma levels of lactoferrin but not for myeloperoxidase indicating the source for plasma lactoferrin to be circulating leucocytes, which may not be the case for plasma myeloperoxidase. Decreased neutrophil lactoferrin was found in 71% of the CGL cases while myeloperoxidase was decreased in 18%. Serial studies on individual CGL subjects showed low cellular lactoferrin during phases with rapidly expanding leucocytosis indicating defective maturation of neutrophils or abnormal release because of prolonged intravascular life-span.


Tremor caused by sympathomimetics is mediated by beta2-adrenoreceptors. Tremor caused by beta-adrenostimulating drugs is known to be mediated by beta-receptors in skeletal muscles. In this study it was shown that tremor caused by terbutaline could be blocked by propranolol, a drug with both beta1- and beta2-blocking properties, but not by metoprolol, a beta1-selective antagonist. It is concluded that tremor caused by sympathomimetics in man is mainly mediated by beta2-receptors.


Selective display of histamine receptors on lymphocytes. Histamine, acting on histamine type 2 receptors, increases intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and thus modulates the immunologic functions of lymphocytes. Lymphocyte cyclic AMP levels were used to follow the development of histamine receptors. The B lymphocytes have no functional histamine receptors. As T lymphocytes "mature" in immunologic function--from thymocytes to cortisone-resistant thymocytes to splenic T lymphocytes--their response to histamine increases. The response of these subpopulations of lymphocytes to isoproterenol is the inverse of the histamine response. It is suggested that the changing display of histamine receptors plays an important part in the control of immunologic responses.


Regeneration of oligodendroglia during recovery from demyelinating disease. Infection of mice with the JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus causes demyelination as a result of a cytolytic infection of oligodendroglia. In recovery, animals show remyelination, which could result either from surviving oligodendrocytes extending their territory or by generation of new oligodendroglia. Electron microscopic autoradiographic studies with 3H-labeled thymidine demonstrate that the cells associated with remyelination are newly generated oligodendroglia.


Arginyl residues: anion recognition sites in enzymes. Chemical modification with 2,3-butanedione in borate buffer indicates that nine of ten glycolytic enzymes studied contain arginyl residues at their active sites. Fructose-1,6-diphosphatase also has arginines at its binding site for the allosteric inhibitor, adenosine monophosphate. These and other data suggest that, as a general rule, enzymes acting on anionic substrates or cofactors will probably contain arginyl residues as components of their ligand binding sites. This could account in part for the relatively infrequent occurrence of arginine in proteins.


Superhelix densities of circular DNA's: a generalized equation for their determination by the bouyant method. Equations for the measurement of the supertwisting of circular DNA's from banding positions in buoyant density gradients containing intercalating dyes have required the use of SV40 DNA isolated from virions as a reference DNA. These equations are modified to allow the use of any closed circular DNA of known superhelix density as a reference DNA.


Amplitude spectrum representation in the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area of the auditory cortex of the mustache bat. The mustache bat, Pteronotus parnellii rubiginosus, emits orientation sounds containing a long constant-frequency (CF) component that is ideal for echo detection and Doppler shift measurement. About 30 percent of the primary auditory cortex of this bat is chiefly devoted to processing the second harmonic of the CF component in Doppler-shifted echoes. In this Doppler-shifted-CF processing area, single neurons recorded in any electrode penetration perpendicular to the cortical surface have nearly identical best frequencies and best amplitudes (or best pressure levels) at which the neurons show maximum excitation. The best frequency and best amplitude vary systematically with the location of the neurons in the cerebral cortex, so that there are tonotopic and "amplitopic" representation axes, which are radial and eccentric, respectively. In other words, the best-frequency and best-amplitude contours are eccentric and radial, respectively. The amplitude spectrum of a signal is thus represented in the coordinates of amplitude and frequency parallel to the cortical surface. This amplitude spectrum representation is disproportionate according to perceptual significance, so that a signal of 61.5 to 62.0 kilohertz and 30 to 50 decibels SPL (sound pressure level) is projected to a larger area than other signals. Just outside this Doppler-shifted-CF processing area, neurons are found which are specialized for responding to a particular information-bearing element or a particular combination of information-bearing elements in orientation sounds and echoes consisting of CF and frequency-modulated components.


Bile, prolactin, and the maternal pheromone. When bile from females that had been lactating for 21 days was injected into the cecum of male rats it induced release of a maternal pheromone. Males injected with bile drawn from females in which prolactin had been inhibited, or from females that had been lactating for only 5 days, did not emit the pheromone. These data suggest a sex difference in the way prolactin alters the composition of bile so that the female can emit the maternal pheromone while the male normally cannot.


An analog of enkephalin having prolonged opiate-like effects in vivo. Intraventricular administration of the enkephalin analog, [D-Ala2]-metenkephalin, induces profound and long-lasting analgesia, as well as other opiate-like behavioral effects in the rat. This analgesia was highly dose dependent, of much greater magnitude, and about 30 times longer lasting than that produced by the naturally occurring peptide, methionine-enkephalin. The behavioral effects of the [D-Ala2] analog could be completely reversed by the opiate antagonist, naloxone, suggesting that these effects were mediated by opiate receptors. Systemic administration of naloxone alone resulted in a significant increase in pain sensitivity. These findings support the view that endogenous opiate systems may play an important role in modulating pain sensitivity.


[Dupuytren's contracture and palmar erythema in alcoholic cirrhosis]. Three comparable groups were studied : 100 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, 100 alcoholics without cirrhosis, and 100 subjects without either alcoholism or cirrhosis. Dupuytren's contracture was noted in 43% of cases in group I, 34% in group 2, and in 14% of group 3. There was no parallel between the frequency of Dupuytren's contracture and the severity of the liver involvement. Palmar erythema was noted in 34% of cases of group 1, 23% of cases of group 2, 12% of cases of group 3. Dupuytren's contracture has a genetic background, but its clinical expression is facilitated by metabolic causes, the most frequent being chronic alcoholism. Palmar erythema appears to be a sign of severe liver disease.


[Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Phenotype study of 60 members of the same family]. In two brothers treated for severe pulmonary emphysema, was demonstrated an alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency associated with a ZZ phenotype (Pi system). The authors carried out a genetic study of the family including 60 members spread over 4 generations. In all, were demonstrated 4 subjects of phenotype ZZ, 29 of phenotype MZ, 3 of phenotype MS ; one subject had a phenotype SZ and 23 members of this family had normal levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin and were of phenotype MM. The disease was transmitted in all cases as an autosomic codominant. The interest of a study of the phenotype in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is emphasized together with the practical steps to be taken on discovery of a subject with the allele responsible for a reduction in serum levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin.


[Human campylobacteriosis. Apropos of 6 cases]. Campylobacteriosis, first described as a disease of cattle where it is very common and causes sterility or abortion, appears to occur in man mainly in predisposed subjects with debility or some constitutional defect. The nature of the background should make one consider Campylobacter as pathogenic. Antibiotic treatment is necessary in all cases in order to avoid decompensation of the congenital disease. It is probable that Campylobacter infections are more common than the small number of reported cases would suggest. In the absence of characteristic clinical criteria, diagnosis depends on the results of bacteriological investigations. This should take into consideration the slowness of growth of the germ in culture and its nutrient and respiratory requirements. The diagnosis is mainly presumptive in the light of the history and clinical findings in order to ensure optimal conditions for isolation of the germ.


[Headache and oral contraceptives (selective study of 159 cases)]. Based on a series of 159 cases of headache during oral contraception, the authors confirm the part plainly favouring and aggravating of oral contraceptives on headaches. They are dominated by the frequency of migraines and happen with predilection at the time of hormonal weaning. We deduct from this, that oral contraceptives generally aggravate or reveal a latent sensitivity to hormonal variations, especially clear with older women.


[Cytomegalic inclusion disease].

[Cytomegalic inclusion disease]. Cytomegalic inclusion disease due to a virus of the herpes groups, which was first cultured in 1956 by Margaret Smith, is not only the disease of new-born known in France since 1952. Among the clinical pictures suggestive of this infection, one should include mononuclear syndromes with a negative Paul and Bunnell test which accompany cytomegalovirus viremia and a rise in specific antibodies.


[Mental disorders in the elderly].

[Mental disorders in the elderly]. In the psychopathology of old age, one should avoid a pessimistic attitude in therapeutics. A multidimensional approach will permit understanding of the psychological decompensation in old age, and the drawing up of coherent therapeutic plans which are often efficacious.


[Pathological diagnosis of the superficial lymph nodes]. A cytological study, by needle puncture, of sub-cutaneous lymph nodes interpreted clinically as adenopathies, sometimes encounters difficulty which may lead to diagnostic errors. A few examples drawn from common practice, permit the authors to emphasize the interest of pathological examination by biopsy which shows the architecture of the tissues and the relations between the various cells and leads more easily to diagnosis of lesions which may be difficult to interpret.


[Echotomography in the surveillance of pregnancy]. The absence of use of ionising radiation contrary to the XRay scanner with computer, makes echotomography B, using ultrasound, a practically ideal method of supervision of pregnancy whether normal or pathological. The objections to its use, e.g. mechanical lesions detected on unicellular organisms in vitro, are not obvious in clinical medicine where the technique has now been in use for a sufficiently long time. However, one should not use this as a test of pregnancy but simply a method of supervision. During pregnancy either clinically or potentially pathological the use of this examination has been demonstrated whether one considers the pathology of the first trimester or that of the end of pregnancy.


[Prevention of infectious diseases of viral origin]. In France, smallpox and poliomyelitis have almost disappeared thanks to generalized vaccination, no case of small pox has been reported since 1975. 17 cases of poliomyelitis were reported in 1975. These two vaccinations remain compulsory. The prophylaxis of measles, which is a very common disease, is based on vaccination recommended for young children, particularly those living in groups. The frequency of severe forms of flu is reduced by vaccination which is advised in the elderly and in weak or exposed subjects. Rubella raises the problem of contamination of pregnant women. It is recommended to vaccinate young girls and also, after serological reactions, women who are professionally exposed to the disease. Epidemic virus hepatitis (virus A) is increasing in frequency, whereas transfusion hepatitis is becoming less common since the strict application of measures of prophylaxis. The spread of rabies, mainly in the fox, is worrying for public health workers. No case of human rabies has been noted in France. Preventive anti-rabic treatment is applied in the case of a patient bitten by a suspicious animal.


[Prevention of anesthesia accidents].

[Prevention of anesthesia accidents]. All general anesthetics include a risk to life. The etiology and circumstances of complications with cardiac arrest are studied. Accent is placed on the frequency of fatal accidents for benign operations and on the poor prognosis of accidents with hypoxia. The prevention of accidents and their sequelae, such as encephalopathy, requires one to foresee and treat efficaciously as soon as possible cardiac arrest. To reach these objectives, efforts should be made on preparation of the patients, on the equipment and its maintenance, on the grouping of units where fatal accidents most frequently occur, on the creation of departments of anesthesia with re-awakening wards, on the training of medical and surgical teams with better supervision of young anesthetists.


[Skin reactions to topical agents].

[Skin reactions to topical agents]. The author desires to attract attention to the disadvantages of drugs for external use which are more and more widely used. The two main reactions observed are contact dermatitis and photosensitisation, but practically all skin lesions may be produced. She then rapidly recapitulates the various responsible agents insisting on dermo-corticoids and the precautions which should be taken in their use.


[Drugs and hematologic toxicity].

[Drugs and hematologic toxicity]. Among the allergic accidents due to drugs, three clinical syndromes with brutal onset and acute evolution can occur. They are thrombocytopenic purpura, agranulocytosis and hemolytic anemia. An association of two or three syndromes is rare. The occurrence of these cytopenias resulting from an immuno-allergic process is due to a previous sensitization caused by a drug which, in the course of later treatment, would be able to induce an hematological accident in these sensitized subjects. These allergies always involve the formation of serum antibodies in sensitized subjects, the specific activity of which appears on the different cellular types in the presence of the drug responsible or of chemically related products. The specificity of allergic antibodies has been studied. Cross-reactions of these antibodies against products with a chemical formula close to that of the drug responsible have been observed. The physiopathological mechanisms of immuno-allergic sensitization are still uncertain. The most probable hypothesis involves the fixation of soluble complexes on to target cells. Further complement fixation would lead to a possible protection against these cytopenias.


[The present role of genetic counseling]. Any couple that has given birth to an abnormal child wants to know whether such an accident may reoccur. If wrongly reassured, they may see a new malformed child born. If they are wrongly advised against having a baby, they may use permanent sterilisation. Genetic advice is thus very important and should be carried out by a team which has available the necessary facilities for diagnosis and calculation of the precise risk.


[Treatment of the menopause].

[Treatment of the menopause]. The immediate complications of the menopause should be treated. These symptoms must be due to the menopause and the treatment should be without side effects. The object is above all to obtain a sense of well-being. More important than the immediate signs are the later trophic disorders, whether local or general. Thus a long term substitution treatment may be considered under strict supervision.


Metastases in malignant childhood tumors-the role of "adjuvant" therapy and the utility of multidisciplinary treatment. Patients with tumors which appear localized at diagnosis frequently develop metastases after primary definitive therapy. This suggests that occult (microscopic) dissemination of tumor has occurred prior to presentation. This is optimally treated early with chemotherapy after primary definitive treatment. The rationale for this approach is based on cytokinetic studies: micrometastases are more sensitive to anticancer agents thatn larger primary tumors from which they were derived and treatment administered when the tumor burden is at its nadir avoids the necessity to escalate doses and affect host tolerance. The application of these concepts to clinical practice has resulted in significant increases in survivals. Investigations to facilitate early detection of clinical metastases and the integrated use of multidisciplinary treatment for eradication of metastases are outlined.


Follow-up of rape victims in a family practice setting. Health care for rape victims traditionally has been crisis oriented, focused solely upon the victim, and provided either by a gynecologist or psychiatrist. A family practice health team, working in a county hospital, offered rape victims and their families crisis counseling in the emergency room, and follow-up care in a family practice clinic. Follow-up of victims markedly increased from 8% before initiation of the program to 86% afterward. Family members of more than half of the victims seen on follow-up received treatment. A wide range of health needs of both victims and their families, not identified in the emergency room, was identified on follow-up visits. In this way emergency care of the rape victim often became an entry point into the health care system. Rape must be viewed as a family's as well as victim's health problem, often demanding a broader service than can be offered by a gynecologist or psychiatrist alone.


Wilms' tumor in a multilocular cyst of the kidney (cystic Wilms' tumor). A 2-year-old boy had a Wilms' tumor of the left kidney that appeared during physical examination as an abdominal mass and on gross examination as a multilocular cyst. Multilocular cyst of the kidney is a rare but distinctive congenital lesion. Its true biologic behavior is unknown. Although simple nephrectomy is sufficient for most lesions, more aggressive procedures are recommended for those lesions that contain Wilms' tumor (cystic Wilms' tumor).


Effects of diphenylhydantoin in 41 epileptics institutionalized since childhood. Institutionalized epileptic patients on long-term anticonvulsant diphenylhydantoin (DPH) therapy were examined clinically. DPH plasma levels were unexpectedly high in 54% despite rather poor seizure control. No patient was free from side effects, which included gingival hypertrophy (90% of patients), increased alkaline phosphatase activity (55%), suggestion of a sensory peripheral neuropathy (34%), central nervous system (CNS) intoxication (22%), coarsened facial features (19%), tendency to bleed excessively (15%), hirsutism (12%), and mild megalocytic anemia (5%). CNS intoxication correlated with high plasma DPH levels, reports of deteriorating behavioral and motor performance, and the findings of nystagmus on vertical gaze or truncal ataxia, though not all patients with high plasma levels were clinically intoxicated. Alarming were the often disfiguring changes of gums and facial structures and the tendency to develop signs of vitamin D deficiency secondary to therapy. Hirsutism was rare in black patients. Plasma DPH level determinations are recommended as part of the management of mentally retarded epileptic patients but do not replace clinical acumen and skill.


Ulnar nerve instability: ulnar nerve injury due to elbow flexion. The term "ulnar nerve instability" describes the chronic conditions of subluxation and relocation of the ulnar nerve at the elbow with flexion and extension of the elbow, respectively. This condition is more common than generally thought. Recurrent subluxation of the nerve at the elbow results in a tractional and frictional neuritis. The nerve is vulnerable to trauma in its subluxed position, lying superficially on the medial humeral epicondyle. In certain cases of ulnar nerve instability associated with a tight overlying band bridging the heads of origin of the flexor carpi ulnaris, nerve injury can occur with flexion of the elbow. Thus, internal as well as external compressive factors as a cause of ulnar nerve neuropathy must be considered. Described is an elbow flexion test helpful in the diagnosis and prognosis of cases of ulnar nerve instability associated with the tight overlying band.


Tendon xanthoma in type IV hyperlipoproteinemia. A tendon xanthoma is reported in a patient with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia. This is an unusual situation not previously reported in the literature.


Chromosome analyses of two recently established human tumour cell lines derived from a carcinoma of the oesophagus and a primary liver tumour. An oesophageal carcinoma cell line was karyotyped at passages 8,48,64 and 88. It showed a persistent loss of D group chromosomes and subtelocentric, acrocentric, dicentric and other markers were frequently present. During 80 passages the modal number declined from 60,5 to 54,09. The chromosome pattern of a hepatoma cell line was studied at passages 15/17 and 28. It showed a loss of D and G group chromosomes and the presence of various markers including a D/G fusion.


Regional intra-arterial infusion of adriamycin in the treatment of cancer. Forty patients with otherwise untreatable advanced carcinomas received arterial infusions of adriamycin. Significant responses were seen in five of nine tumors of the bladder, two of five hypernephromas, two of two islet cell tumors, three of five sarcomas and one of two metastatic tumors of the breast. One patient with advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder had no tumor at the time of a subsequent resection. There were no responses seen in two oat cell tumors metastatic to the liver, one seminoma of the retroperitoneal space metastatic to the liver, one squamous cell tumor metastatic to the liver, one squamous cell of the vulva, one carcinoma of the cervix uteri and one cloacogenic carcinoma. these responses in advanced tumors are exciting. The use of this technique to reduce tumor bulk prior to operation, irradiation, adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy may allow a significant breakthrough for such tumors as sarcomas, hypernephromas and transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. Further studies will be pursued using this concept.


Acute silicoproteinosis.

Acute silicoproteinosis. A case of alveolar lipoproteinosis associated with silicosis is reported. A 58-year-old man had been exposed to silica for seven years and died three years after the onset of symptoms. Light microscopy of biopsy and necropsy material showed small silicotic nodules, silica particles, and alveolar lipoproteinosis, and ultrastructural studies were performed to define changes in alveolar epithelium and macrophages. The case provides a further example of alveolar lipoproteinosis developing as a response of the lung to injury by an external agent.


[Tumors of the carotid body--diagnostic and therapeutic aspects (author's transl)]. The tumors of the carotid body are rare in frequency but still they give many problems in preoperative diagnosis and operative management. The pathological classification and estimation of dignity is still under discussion. Based on the experience of 5 patients we try to give a comprehensive listing of important facts and a classification for clinical use. In spite of the typical clinical signs which were described by Kocher and Fontaine the carotid body tumor is the most frequently mistaken tumor in the lateral region of the neck. If a tumor of this type is suspected a carotid arteriogram should be regularely performed. The arteriogram is the most important diagnostic procedure, and gives the final diagnosis in most cases. The therapeutic principle is the early total extirpation. In spite of the small rate of malignancy (under 10%) this challenge is based on the frequent observation of local spreading of the tumor. The excision of tumors of even large size is possible under consideration of special operative technics.


Fine structure of the antennal receptors of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. Sensilla on the antenna of the bed bug, Cimex lectularius, were studied with the scanning and transmission electron microscope. Those which display a tubular body in the dendrite ending are presumed to have a mechanoreceptor function (bristles of type A, flat plate of type B). Bristles of type A1 contain additional dendrites which terminate at the tip of the bristle and may be gustatory receptors.  Sensilla with pores in the hair wall are supposed to have an offactory, humidity and/or temperature receptor function (pegs and hairs of types C, D, E).  Hairs of type E contain receptors for the alarm pheromones of the bed bug.  Special attention has been paid to the pore structures and epicuticular layers of these sensilla. Possible differences in stimulus conduction are discussed between (i) sensilla with a simple wall and pores with pore tubules (types D and E) and (ii) the ribbed pegs (type C), which have a complex wall structure and spoke channels. The immersed cones of type F have a peculiar innervation, which has not been described previously. Two dendrites are held closely together by a third flat dendrite which wraps around them in the region of the outer segment. Coupling structures were found between the central dendrites, and between these and the third enveloping dendrite. Possible functions of this unique innervation are discussed. The dendrites innervating type D are grouped in three to eight bundles by multiple sheaths. The term thecogen cell is introduced to denote the innermost of the three sheath cells of a sensillum (the outer being the tormogen and the trichogen cell) which builds the dendrite sheath during ontogeny. Comparative morphometry revealed type-specific differences in the length and diameter of the dendrites. Some axons were found to lack any glial or perineurial sheath. Microorganisms were observed in the antennal tissue of several animals.


Epidermal cell development during the pupal-adult metamorphosis of Hyalophora cecropia. To establish a base for studying the hormonal control of insect epidermal cell activity, the ultrastructure of abdominal epidermis was analyzed during the normal pupal-adult development of Hyalophora cecropia. Adjacent epidermal cells could be distinguished on the basis of organelle content and staining intensity, suggesting that this monolayer is not composed of a homogenous cell population. At the onset of adult development the form of the epidermal cell is transformed from that typical of a quiescent cell with free ribosomes and few mitochondria to one which is metabolically active and possesses numerous apical membrane microvilli, rough endoplasmic reticulum and numerous mitochondria. On about day 5 of pharate adult development the apical plasma membrane is no longer folded but becomes folded again several days later when cuticulin and endocuticle are deposited. On about day 7, giant autophagic vacuoles are discerned that may be important in cellular reprogramming. After adult ecdysis, the epidermal cells continue to deposit endocuticle.


Effects of ecdysone and juvenile hormone on epidermal cell development in Hyalophora cecropia. Pupae of Hyalophora cecropia were injected with various doses of beta-ecdysone (molting hormone) or juvenile hormone and the epidermal cell ultrastructure was then studied with the electron microscope. The hormonal effects were rapidly manifested and appeared to be cell specific and dose dependent. The initial response to both hormones was an outward blebbing of the apical plasma membrane. Large doses of beta-ecdysone elicited both precocious cuticle deposition and premature autophagic vacuole formation. Juvenile hormone prevented the appearance of the autophagic vacuoles which normally preceded cell differentation into cells capable of adult synthesis. After prolonged exposure to juvenile hormone, there appeared to be an exaggerated separation of the epidermal cells at the basal region suggesting that the juvenile hormone may act at the membrane level.


Calculation of intratumor temperature in a heated superficial tumor. Measurements of intratumor temperature build-up in locally heated superificial tumor in the footpads of mice were analyzed. The intratumor temperature rise was found to consist of two slopes before the temperature reached a steady state. An empirical equation was developed, allowing a close estimate of the intratumor steady state temperature.


In vitro metabolism of 3beta-hydroxy-, and 3beta,14alpha-dihydroxy-[3alpha-3H]-5beta-cholest-7-en-6-one by the prothoracic glands of Manduca sexta. alpha-Ecdysone (2beta,3beta,14alpha,22R,25-pentahydroxy-5beta-cholest-7-en-6-one) has been identified as the metabolism product of 3beta,14alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholest-7-en-6-one in isolated prothoracic glands of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. In contrast, 3beta-hydroxy-5beta-cholest-7-en-6-one is metabolized to 14-deoxy-alpha-ecdysone and a variety of intermediates all lacking the 14-hydroxy group. The results suggest that either the normal precursor for the synthesis of alpha-ecdysone by prothoracic glands is a sterol more highly oxygenated than cholesterol or that hydroxylation of a minimally oxygenated precursor at C-14 must precede introduction of the C-6 ketone and/or delta7 bond. The data further suggest that several alternative hydroxylation routes may exist for the latter steps of alpha-ecdysone biosynthesis.


Estrogen metabolism in nonhuman primates. I. In vitro biosynthesis of estrogen glucosiduronates in rhesus monkey liver. Estrone glucosiduronate, 17beta-estradiol-3-glucosiduronate, 17beta-estradiol-17-glucosiduronate and estriol-16alpha-glucosiduronate have been biosynthesized in substantial yield by incubation of radioactive estrone, 17beta-estradiol, estriol and uridine diphosphoglucosiduronic acid with rhesus monkey liver homogenates. The metabolites were characterized by chromatography on Celite and DEAE-Sephadex, enzyme hydrolysis, derivative formation and crystallization to constant specific activity. The percent conversion to 17beta-estradiol-17-glucosiduronate from 17beta-estradiol ranged between 56-71%; from estrone, the conversion was 49-54%. Other metabolites formed from estradiol were estrone glucosiduronate (12-21%) and 17beta-estradiol-3-glucosiduronate(5-12%). The same metabolites derived from estrone accounted for 18-28% and 10-14% respectively. After estriol incubation, more than 90% of the steroid was converted to estriol-16alpha-glucosiduronate with no detectable estriol-3-glucosiduronate. This report represents the first time that 17beta-estradiol-17-glucosiduronate has been reported as a metabolite in the rhesus monkey and this is the only known species which forms 17beta-estradiol-17-glucosiduronate as the predominant metabolite of either estrone or estradiol in vitro. Rhesus monkey liver is similar to the human and baboon in that it metabolizes estriol exclusively to estriol-16-glucosiduronate.


Histopathology of carcinomas of the liver in mice ingesting dieldrin or aldrin. C3HeB/Fe male and female mice, ingesting 10 ppm of the pesticides dieldrin or aldrin in the diet, developed highly significant incidences of carcinomas of the liver. The carcinomas varied from well differentiated to poorly differentiated and undifferentiated and were capable of metastasis.


Analysis of 100 cases of Paget's disease of the breast. Of 100 cases of Paget's disease of the breast admitted to the National Career Institute of Milan from 1940 to 1974, 91 were statistically evaluated. They were divided in two groups according to presence or absence of a palpable nodule. The results of surgical treatment in terms of 5 and 10 year survival rates were 59 and 44%, respectively, with a median survival of 9 years. For the two separate subgroups, those with a palpable nodule were 38 and 22% for 5 and 10 years, respectively, while those without a palpable nodule were 92 and 82% for 5 and 10 years, respectively. For the two groups the median survival was 3.6 and 16.4 years, respectively. The extent of surgery should be dependent on the presence of absence of palpable nodules under the nipple. For the two groups (with and without) extended radical mastectomy and the Patey-Dawson mastectomy are recommended.


Abnormal renal arteriography after renal trauma. Angiograms following renal trauma in a ten-year-old girl were highly suggestive of renal neoplasm, especially Wilms' tumor. There are striking similarities between arteriograms after renal trauma and those showing neovascularity.


Syngeneic antitumor and antiembryo immunization affecting pregnancy in mice. Groups of virgin BALB/c female were immunized against methylcholanthrene, SV40-induced or spontaneous syngeneic sarcoma cells or against syngeneic mitomycin-C blocked embryonic cells. Females were then mated to syngeneic males and observed for pregnancy rate and size of litters. To mimic the antiembryo immunization occurring during normal pregnancy, other experimental groups were added in which midgestational embryo fragments were kept in cell-impermeable diffusion chambers placed in the peritoneal cavity of virgin femals for 20 days, and removed before mating these females with syngeneic males. In all cases, antitumor and antiembryo immunization significantly reduced the number of successful pregnancies after the 1st mating while the second pregnancy appeared to be unaffected by the treatment. A significant reduction in the mean litter size was found, in mice immunized with embryonic tissues or with the SV40-induced sarcoma but not in those immunized with methylcholanthrene-induced or spontaneous tumors.


Simultaneous nosocomial and community outbreak of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis with types 8 and 19 adenovirus. In a simultaneous community and nosocomial (hospital-based) epidemic of keratoconjunctivitis lasting one year, 97 patients had clinical findings characteristic of EKC. Seventy-one percent of the cases were confirmed by laboratory tests including viral isolation, antibody response detected by complement fixation and hemagglutination inhibition tests, or immunofluorescent detection of adenovirus antigen in conjunctival scrapings. The community epidemic was a mixed adenovirus type 19 and type 8 outbreak. The nosocomial outbreak was due primarily to adenovirus type 8 (91%). The epidemiologic data of the nosocomial epidemic were representative of the population involved. The community outbreak was primarily in young individuals between 11 and 40 years of age. The secondary household attack rates were 20% and essentially were equal in both epidemics. The primary mode of spread in the nosocomial outbreak was by contamination of the examiner's fingers. In the community epidemic the mode of spread was believed to be close personal contact in a young and active age group.


[Malignant kidney tumors in children].

[Malignant kidney tumors in children]. The authors have examined 92 children with renal tumors. The treatment for Wilms tumor should be combined: preoperative irradiation, nephrectomy, postoperative irradiation. Late results were studied in 48 patients. 16 patients (33.3%) are living without the recurrence and metastases for over two years, including 4 over 5 years.


[Corticoid activation of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus--infectious pustular vulvovaginitis virus (IBR-IPV)]. The course of infection and IBR virus reactivation was studied in three experimentally infected weaned calves and three cows from naturally invaded herds. The animals were infected intranasally, intratracheally, and by contact. After 20, 41, and 105 days from primary infection, both in calves and in cows, dexametazon was applied in a series of six to seven intramuscular injections. The presence of the virus was examined in the nasal, conjunctival, vaginal and/or preputial secretions and in blood on diploid cells of calf kidneys and by the immunofluorescence method. In all infected calves, the disease took place with clinical signs of rhinotracheitis, mostly within the period of nine days. The second and third day after a temperature rise, the virus titre in nasal secretion reached the values ranging from 10(5) to 10(6.5). A markedly lower titre was obtained in the conjunctival secretion 10(0.5) to 10(3.5). In blood, the virus was found to be present on the first and fifth day from infection. After dexametazon application the calves and cows eliminated the virus mainly with the nasal secretion whose titre highly rose to the value of 10(3.5) to 10(47). In the conjunctival secretion the virus was present only irregularly and its quantities were very small. The greatest quantities of the virus were found in the nasal secretion on the sixth to the eight day from dexametazon application. The virus was not found in vaginal and preputial secretions. The levels of neutralizing antibodies were not affected by dexametazon in the calves; in cows they rose significantly from the titres of 1:2--1:4 to the titres of 1:16--1:32.


Clostridial myositis in cattle: bacteriology and gross pathology. In a bacteriological study of 173 cases of clostridial myositis in cattle, Cl chauvoei either alone or with Cl septicum was demonstrated in 97 (56 %)min a further 62 (36%) cases Cl novyi was demonstrated either alone or with Cl septicum. On 11 (6%) occasions Cl septicum only was recovered, and on another three 1-7%) Cl sordelli only. The gross pathology of the lesions was correlated with the bacteriological findings, and prophylaxis in relation to the infections identified is discussed.


Axonal and cellular alterations in the inner ear of rats treated with chlorphentermine or iprindole. An electron-microscopic study was carried out on the inner ear of rats, which had been treated with the anorectic drug chlorphentermine and the antidepressant drug iprindole, two cationic amphiphilic compounds known to induce a generalized lipidosis. After chronic drug treatment the following vestibular and cochlear alterations were observed: a) numerous lamellated and crystalloid cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in various cell types, typical of drug-induced lipidosis; b) axonal balloonings predominantly affecting preterminal sensory endings which were filled with masses of coarse osmiophilic inclusions and autophagic vacuoles. With prolonged treatment degeneration of nerve fibers below the sensory epithelium was observed in increased numbers. Axonal changes are tentatively interpreted to result from drug-induced interference with certain catabolic processes involved in the normal degradation of axoplasmic constituents.


Influence of L-thyroxine upon enzymatic activity in  the renal tubular epithelium of the rat under normal conditions and in mercury-induced lesions. I. Histochemical studies of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, adenosine- tri-phosphatase and leucine-aminopeptidase. HgC12-induced renal tubular lesions in the rat present histochemically with a transitory decrease of alkaline phosphatase, adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), and leucine-aminopeptidase activity. The toxic alterations of enzyme activity were more pronounced in the pars recta of the proximal tubule and in the loop of Henle, as compared with the tubulus contortus I. L-thyroxine treatment leads to an accelerated reversal of that enzymatic defect, followinga characteristic pattern, and to a differentiating increase of acid phosphatase and ATPase activity in certain parts of the normal renal tubule. The observations are discussed with reference to the specific mode of action of sublimate and l-thyroxine upon the tubular enzymes and to the well-known metabolic and functional influences of thyroid hormone on the kidney.


[Synthesis of Rous sarcoma virus in mammalian embryonal tissue cultures]. In embryonal cells of mice and hamsters growing in vitro after Rous virus adsorption on them and long before the onset of cell transformation of the virus was detected in thr form closely associated with cells. After exposure of mammalian cells to actinomycin D or after lowering the temperature of their incubation up to +20 degrees C the cell associated virus was not revealed in embryonal cells. This evidences that the de novo synthesis of Rous virus but not the survival of the virus takes palce in the mentioned cells.


[Kinetics of cell proliferation and growth of transplanted hepatoma in mice]. The authors compared the parameters of the growth and kinetics of the cell proliferation of five strains of transplantable mice hepatoma. By means of autoradiography and 3H-thymidine the curves of labeled mitoses and these of persistently labeled cells were obtained and analysed. Of all the mitotic cycle parameters: the time of G2 period and duration of phase S are mostly constant and not related with the rate of tumors growth. Hepatoma 46 is characterized by an extremely low intensity of cell production in relatively low their death rate. On the contrary, in hepatoma 48 possessing the same rate of growth the cell production was much more intensive, the rate of cell death being very high.


Expression of red cell Bga antigen in children. Lack of correlation with previous EB virus infection. The red cell Bga antigen and the presence of EB virus antibody were determined in a group of children of mixed ages. Evidence of previous infection with EB virus does not correlate with the degree of expression of the Bga antigen on red cells.


[Radiotherapy of Nephroblastoma (author's transl)]. The treatment methods for the differnt stages of the disease are discussed. The tumour is irradiated preoperatively. Intraoperatively, chemotherapy is commenced and, depending on the stage of the disease, radiotherapy is continued with chemotherapy. In stages III and IV and, if metastases occur, extended fields are irradiated, including the whole area of the body cavities. The abdomen is irradiated with 3000 rad, the lung with 1000-1200 rad and concomitant chemotherapy is given. Seven children were treated by us during 1969-1975 in conjunction with the Paediatric Department of Vienna University. All of them are still living. Severe radiation-induced side effects were observed in two of the cases.


[Diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of wilms' tumour (author's transl)]. Within the last 20 years 43 children with Wilms' tumour were seen at the Paediatric Departments of the University Hospitals of Graz, Innsbruck and Vienna. Case histories, clinical details and diagnostic procedures are discussed. Since 1969 19 out of 21 children were treated according to the modern atandard regimen (operation, irradiation and cytostatic therapy for 2 years except in infants with stage I). Since 1969 the survival rate has been higher (17 out of 21 children: 81%) than in the period 1956 to 1968 (7 out of 22 children: 31.8%), when only one child (in stage I) was treated according to current concepts. The better prognosis noted in young infants of this series, as in the literature was due to the earlier stage of the disease in these infants. A further improvement in the survival rate of children with Wilms' tumour should be achieved by earlier diagnosis, thereby ensuring operability, and by cytostatic therapy during the following 2 years. This will only be possible when there is closer cooperation between surgeon, radiotherapist and oncologist. It should be possible to lower the long-term therapeutic complication rate with even more stringent observation measures and with increasing expertise of all doctors concerned.


[Surgical treatment of wilms' tumour and neuroblastoma with particular reference to staging (author's transl)]. Combined surgical, irradiation and cytostatic therapy has considerably improved the outlook in cases of Wilms' tumour over the past years. Unfortunately the therapeautic results in neuroblastoma have not shown improvement to the same extent. Staging of the tumour is an essential basis for thee establishment of optimum therapeutic management and prognosis. Further improvement in results could be achieved with enhanced early diagnosis of these tumours and centralized treatment in centres with requisite specialist teams.


[The relation between the morphological stage of silicosis and the SiO2 content in hilar lymph nodes (author's transl)]. There is a positive relation with significant differences in mean values between the severity of silicosis of hilar lymph noeds and their SiO2 contents. The average SiO2 values in silicosis I amount to 2.03 g %; in silicosis II: 2.86 g%, and in silicosis III: 3.89 g%. The average values in exposed miners without silicosis (= 1.70 g%) show no significant differences in comparison with those of silicose I cases and those of nonexposed male persons (= 0.82 g%). The results justify the attempt of a morphological classification of the severity of silicosis in the hilar lymph nodes encouraging the use of chemical examinations of dust for the evaluation of pneumoconioses, for instance, in the material of mediastinoscopies.


[The densitometric evaluation of lipoprotein electrophoresis on acetate foil and agar-agarose gel]. By means of cholesterol feeding on rabbits the change of the beta- and pre-beta-lipoprotein relations is observed by densitometric evaluation of lipoprotein electrophoreses on cellulose acetate foils and in agar-agarose gel. At the same time the changes of the cholesterol and triglyceride content of the sera are determined. The agar-agarose-gel electrophoreses prove to be more suitable for the densitometric evaluation compared with the electrophoreses on cellulose acetate foils, since they give more exact results. A reason for this is the worse demarcability of the pre-beta-lipoprotein proportion in the curves of the densitometre of acetate foils. The percental distributions of lipoprotein in patients of different types of HLP are determined and with the help of the results the evidence of the visual judgment of the lipoprotein electrophoreses is discussed.


Quantity of antibody synthesized in a single cell during the primary immune response. Following immunization of mice with SRBC the kinetics of antibody synthesis by individual immunocompetent cells during the primary immune response were investigated. The diameter of the average hemolytic plaque using a modified Jerne plaquing technique, was taken to be an estimate of the antibody production by a single cell. We found an increase, followed by a decrease, of the average plaque diameter during the primary immune response. The increase of average plaque diameters is probably due to the raised rate of synthesis of antibody molecules. This increase can be accelerated by adjuvants. The decrease late in the primary immune response could be explained by an internally regulated switch from IgM to IgG antibody synthesis. The results are consistent with the mathematical approach of HELLWIG (1,2).